beloved 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈləvd How to pronounce beloved (audio)
Definition of belovednext
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention her beloved cat sleeps in its own little bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

beloved

2 of 2

noun

as in darling
a person with whom one is in love searching for some incredibly romantic spot in which to ask his beloved to marry him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of beloved
Adjective
Now & Then A beloved sleepover movie and cult classic, Now & Then is about a group of friends who get together as adults after many years apart to reflect on the summer that changed their lives. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026 For the cover of the September 7, 2026, issue, the artist Nicole Rifkin—a musician herself—pays homage to one of America’s most beloved icons, Dolly Parton, who died on August 25th, at the age of eighty. — Françoise Mouly, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
While wondering if his beloved will ever return, Jesse also grapples with grief, paranoia and family drama. — Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 Miller also strategically employs the Pietà in his Confederate Women’s Monument, turning to Michelangelo’s later Depositional group from the Pietà Bandini, in which the dead Christ is not draped on Mary’s lap and knees but undulates across the bodies of his earthbound beloveds. — Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beloved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beloved
  1. loved
  2. darling
  3. cherished
  4. sweetheart
  5. favorite
  6. dear
  7. precious
  8. lover
Adjective
  • Our hearts are with Carla’s family and loved ones during this devastating time.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • An environmental consultant, Sorensen, 60, was deeply spiritual — conscious of and connected to the Earth, and her loved ones, in many ways.
    — Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of loved
Noun
  • The company adds some 30 to 60 movies to its catalog annually, most of them lost gems of world cinema, festival-circuit darlings, or old Hollywood hits.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Small Prophets follows Quigley as the eccentric Michael Sleep (Quigley), an ordinary man who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has worked in a DIY store, while visiting his elderly dad Brian (Palin) and hoping for Clea to return.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • The cherished cult classic from 1985 is an ideal showcase for Curry’s impeccable physical humor and timing.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With the gym restored, Gallatin Shalom Zone plans to double enrollment in its youth programs and introduce new sports leagues to keep children active and engaged year-round, while also preserving a cherished local landmark.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cherished
Noun
  • For that event, Hailey wore a black column dress with jeweled and beaded embellishments on the sweetheart bodice.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The one person who never wanted to be seen with Dolly in public, astonishingly, was her husband of 59 years and childhood sweetheart, Carl Dean.
    — Tania Bryer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Adjective
  • My mom’s longtime favorite flip-flops have a super impressive discount today, so act fast to snap them up before summer officially comes to a close.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • One of my friends banned me from all his restaurants, including some favorite Boulder hangouts.
    — George Boedecker Jr, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of favorite
Noun
  • Roberts hopes the new restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner and features a full bar specializing in classic Southern cocktails and bellinis, will give guests a taste of the flavors and comfort he’s held dear for decades.
    — Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Early on, Leonardo Spinazzola made a mistake similar to the one Billy Gilmour committed last week, one that cost Napoli dear against Torino.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of dear
Adjective
  • Legends like this one only serve to enhance the value of certain masterpieces crafted from diamonds and precious stones.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But even more than that, consumers want to trust in organizations while discretionary spending is more precious amid inflation, stagnant wages, and a higher cost of living.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of precious
Noun
  • Milwaukee Public Library research and policy coordinator Joey McMahon added the library has been a staple for Milwaukee artists and music lovers for a long time.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The story follows Jaime, a former lover turned butler to Isabel, a wealthy Argentine woman.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of lover

Browse Nearby Words

belongs
beloved
beloveds
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Cite this Entry

“Beloved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beloved. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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