canoodle

verb

Definition of canoodlenext
as in to cuddle

Related Words

Relevance

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 canoodle He and Jenner were spotted canoodling at that very same venue, E11EVEN, just about a year ago (in early May) to attend the Miami Grand Prix. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026 Throughout these past weeks, the Mormon Wives cast has been riddled with other viral dramas, including Jessi Draper seemingly canoodling with Miranda Hope’s ex-husband. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026 That means no reporters scribbling down who’s canoodling with whom at the bar. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026 As anyone who follows Palm Beach gossip may recall, Junior was caught canoodling with Anderson while still very much engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for canoodle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canoodle
  1. cuddle
  2. nuzzle
  3. snuggle
  4. caress
  5. nestle
  6. pet
  7. spoon
  8. pat
Verb
  • In the living room of their Englewood home, the Bennett family listens to records while cuddling with their cats.
    — Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco cuddle up while enjoying their Portofino, Italy vacation on July 25.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of cuddle
Verb
  • The actress nuzzled up next to her husband at the 2017 premiere of Colossal.
    — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
  • The planets coast past one another on the ecliptic, and appear to us to nuzzle one another every so often.
    — Doris Elin Urrutia, Space.com, 8 June 2026
Definition of nuzzle
Verb
  • The agency also urges keeping backyard poultry and chameleon supplies and habitats clean, and suggests that no one of any age kiss or snuggle their chameleons or chickens.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Another shot showed twins Keith and Kameron Rochefort from DeMotte, in matching green and light blue swim trunks, snuggled together on a pool float with a beach ball nearby.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Definition of snuggle
Verb
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of caress
Verb
  • Before Turner Field, or even Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, there was Ponce de Leon Park - nestled in the shadow of the Sears & Roebuck's division headquarters - now Ponce City Market.
    — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • About 90 miles north of Phoenix, the town of Yarnell nestles atop a winding mountain road.
    — Eric Cerino, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of nestle
Verb
  • Three four-legged friends chilled along the Hudson River at the Hertz Gold Squad Hangout, clearly enjoying being petted by concert-goers taking in the music.
    — Lori Majewski, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • The actor stars in a new social media advertisement for the brand, in which he is shown playing the guitar, looking out on the beach and petting a dog.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of pet
Verb
  • From floral pitchers to spoon rests and serving bowls, your entire table can enjoy a matching makeover full of soft brown leaves and blue petals.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2026
  • Carefully turn and cook, spooning butter over, until second side is golden brown and fish is cooked through, about 3 minutes.
    — Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 July 2026
Definition of spoon
Verb
  • Merrill helped Tatis to his feet and patted him on the chest.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • When an excitable teenager cut in front of my dad, Frankenstein — without saying a word — gestured for the kid to be patient and wait, patted my dad on the back and posed for a picture.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of pat

Browse Nearby Words

canons
canoodle
canoodled
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Canoodle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canoodle. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on canoodle

Nglish: Translation of canoodle 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

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
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All