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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
For about 44 awkward seconds inside a nightclub, Cathy Engelbert was indeed the beloved commissioner of the WNBA. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 This is The Fantasticks, known and adored across the globe, in a Broadway premiere that brings glorious new life to the beloved classic. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Sep. 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
  • The Los Angeles Police Department offered its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of those who died during the crash.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • How eBay’s pre-loved runway works Rather than debut a brand-new collection, eBay built the Endless Runway around designer pieces already in circulation.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of loved
Noun
  • Training camp darling Dohnte Meyers contributed a slick catch-and-run, as did third-down back Samaje Perine.
    — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
  • In the ’90s and early 2000s, Sarah Jessica Parker cemented herself as a bona fide fashion darling, wearing looks from designers like Oscar de La Renta and Chanel.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • The Spanish brand has also announced the revival of one of its most cherished race bikes, the TSS350.
    — Bultaco, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The cherished cult classic from 1985 is an ideal showcase for Curry’s impeccable physical humor and timing.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of cherished
Noun
  • First incarcerated as a teenager, Big Ant has spent so much of his life locked up that his high school sweetheart, Lozita (a forceful Danielle Brooks), stays with him out of loyalty, not love.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Lois and Billy were childhood sweethearts and had been in a relationship since the age of 16.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Adjective
  • Venus Williams x Crate & Kids Collection From tennis-ball motifs to her favorite lavender-and-green color combo, Williams’ collection with Crate & Kids is both playful and can easily transition alongside kids and their ever-changing styles.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The overlap across drugstore, dermatologist-favorite and lifestyle brands is the clearest signal of where body care is headed.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of favorite
Noun
  • Whether these ads were meant to imply that clutching and shifting was too physical for women, too unladylike, or just too complex for the little dears is not clear.
    — Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of dear
Adjective
  • Trade wars generally involve big economic sectors such as autos, energy, agriculture, tech and precious metals, but rarely does the discussion turn to sport.
    — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Spacecraft burn precious fuel carrying heavy ceramic heat shields.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of precious
Noun
  • The photographic record shows Wong arm-in-arm with numerous admirers, many of whom were her lovers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Llínas mugs the camera for laugh lines in the narration, rattles off a comically long list of Borges’ lovers, reveals halfway through that the score has been played, in part, off a toy xylophone.
    — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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