as in to pat
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
gently caressed her hair
Synonyms & Similar 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 caress
Falling asleep under it felt like being pampered, and I was tempted to move my legs around just to feel the duvet cover’s fabric caress them again and again.
—
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2025
From the moment that Jerry Goldsmith’s piano tinkles caress the opening bars of his score while stars float past the frame, anyone with a soul knows that this is not your average IP cash-in.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Location Nestled on Turkey’s stunning Mediterranean coast, Belek is a glittering jewel of Antalya’s coastline—where turquoise waters caress pristine beaches and ancient Roman ruins peek through pine forests.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
The singer was spotted in pictures shared to social media, gently caressing the baby bump of his romantic partner.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for caress
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2025
From the moment that Jerry Goldsmith’s piano tinkles caress the opening bars of his score while stars float past the frame, anyone with a soul knows that this is not your average IP cash-in.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Location Nestled on Turkey’s stunning Mediterranean coast, Belek is a glittering jewel of Antalya’s coastline—where turquoise waters caress pristine beaches and ancient Roman ruins peek through pine forests.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
The singer was spotted in pictures shared to social media, gently caressing the baby bump of his romantic partner.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for caress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caress
Verb
-
Quaid was seen patting his former costars’ shoulders and giving them words of encouragement before the performance.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
-
On one occasion, backup goalkeeper Matt Turner, seated to Pulisic’s right, put his left arm around Pulisic and patted his back, consoling him.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ohtani stroked a triple into the right field corner in his first at-bat Thursday and scored on Mookie Betts’ double.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The Tigers tied the game in the eighth when Spencer Torkelson stroked a two-run double off reliever Matt Brash, who wound up getting the win.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Caress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caress. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share