as in pats
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
gently caressed her hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of caresses
Also starring Jack Palance and Fritz Lang, the behind-the-scenes drama about the making of a movie begins with Bardot lying nude on a bed as her husband (Michel Piccoli) caresses and praises her body.
—
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Dec. 2025
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.
—James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Dec. 2025
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.
—James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caresses
Verb
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During the performance, the singer kneels down to hand Fox the award and pats his head before continuing on.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Inside the facility, Angela empties her pockets, a guard scans her with a metal-detection wand, pats her down and asks her to spread her legs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
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For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caresses. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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