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

Relevance

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
The Cape Verde supporters also erupted in the 62nd minute when their beloved 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha denied Messi at point-blank range. — Miami Herald, 4 July 2026 Pasta salad is a beloved summer side, and this version could be our best. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026
Noun
But who, in this case, is the beloved? — New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026 Both helped design custom engagement rings for their beloveds. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 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
  • Nothing can bring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo back to his loved ones.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • Aside from the trauma, injury or death of a loved one, in most if not all cases families have no path to get financial assistance to cover medical or funeral bills.
    — Laura Geller, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Definition of loved
Noun
  • On their debut album, the Detroit musician skewers social-climbing scene darlings and tackles personal existential delusions over a frenetic blend of post-punk and electro-pop.
    — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026
  • Won its group, defeated tournament darling Cape Verde, ousted Egypt and then de-neutralized the Swiss in extra time.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • And about month after he was taken, federal immigration agents swarmed Charlotte and the very neighborhood that held Omar’s cherished memories.
    — Julia Coin Updated July 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
  • For many years, Kirby compiled annual cookbooks featuring the group's favorite recipes from that year, creating a collection that chronicles both memorable meals and cherished friendships.
    — Christina Daves, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of cherished
Noun
  • Her high-school sweetheart, Johnny Vasel, a chef with whom Patty had relocated to Fort Lauderdale, was working a holiday dinner shift that day.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Kate Middleton and Prince William went from college sweethearts to a lasting royal romance.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Adjective
  • Stay Informed - Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite weather news station.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • The everyday favorite model has also just received an aesthetic update known as the 9060R, which is available in two styles.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
Definition of favorite
Noun
  • Frankly, my dear, Tom Jacobsen doesn’t give a dome.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 July 2025
  • Black bag, my dear — her work trip sets off a chain reaction in which George’s strength, i.e., faith in their relationship, becomes his weakness.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of dear
Adjective
  • Founded in 2000, APMEX (American Precious Metals Exchange) is one of the largest online retailers of precious metals in the United States and the world.
    — Jamela Adam, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Argentina fans certainly owned the pre-game festivities, with the white-and-sky-blue jerseys dominating the parking lots, concession booths and precious corners of shade outside Hard Rock Stadium on Friday.
    — Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of precious
Noun
  • Guests spill out onto the three-part terrace, with its overhead heaters, barbecue space, and The Cigar Garden, where tobacco lovers can take their pick of Havanas from the humidor and lose themselves in a smoky haze until closing time.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026
  • For the outdoor lovers the resort offers pickleball and tennis, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, the Arbor Adventure (a 26-element ropes course in the trees), fly fishing, horseback riding, boating, skeet shooting, and more!
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
Definition of lover

Browse Nearby Words

belongs
beloved
beloveds
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beloved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beloved. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on beloved

Nglish: Translation of beloved for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All