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
Director Matt Johnson‘s take on the beloved late chef, author and TV host imagines the transformative summer when a 19-year-old Bourdain discovered his passion for food while working in a Provincetown seaside kitchen. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026 Chicago's beloved piping plovers are gearing up for migration. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
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 But who, in this case, is the beloved? — New York Times, 21 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
  • This feeling also ripples throughout the community, casting a shadow on fellow classmates, family and loved ones.
    — Narmeen Khan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Though the teens have been identified by families and loved ones as those in the Grand Junction community share memories and rally around those left behind.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of loved
Noun
  • Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma stars Hannah Einbinder, veteran of the Emmy-darling Hacks series opposite Jean Smart.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Cotswolds have been the darling of British summertime for many years, popular with Londoners looking to escape city life.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archwell Productions partnered with Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films on the doc about one of America’s most cherished rituals, Girl Scout Cookie season.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
  • His return ensures continuity for fans of the annual tournament and allows Ravech to maintain a cherished assignment despite significant professional changes.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cherished
Noun
  • Emilia Jones plays Nancy, an interpretation of Bourdain’s high school sweetheart and eventual first wife Nancy Putkoski.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Series regular Golding will play Mel, Angelo’s childhood sweetheart.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Adjective
  • Miller also asked Marco Rubio who his favorite rapper is, and the secretary of state gave the honors to Tupac.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from the team information, shown below is each game’s rating, the probability of the favorite winning, the median score for each team and the median margin of victory for the favorite.
    — Loren Maxwell, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 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
  • Searching for an affordable alternative, Azature ran a simple search for black precious stones.
    — Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For centuries, India’s rulers treasured these precious stones, decorating their palaces, thrones, and crowns with them, and wearing them in lavish displays of wealth and opulence.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of precious
Noun
  • Talking Animals Books in Grapevine is leading the second annual event, encouraging book lovers to wander beyond Main Street and into the heart of the area's indie literary scene.
    — CBS News Texas Staff, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Storch does not pretend to be a long-distance lover of English football.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beloved

Nglish: Translation of beloved for Spanish Speakers

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