Synonyms of caressing

caressing

verb

present participle of caress

as in stroking

to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner

gently caressed her hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stroking
• patting
• hugging
• fondling
• loving
• petting
• cradling
• cuddling
• nuzzling
• snuggling
• gentling
• pawing
• spooning
• necking
• massaging
• nestling
• enfolding
• kneading
• nosing
• canoodling
• embracing
• bouncing
• dandling
• billing
• indulging
• pampering
• coddling
• feeling up
• spoiling
• babying
• mollycoddling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of caressing

In one video, pop singer Madison Beer was seen caressing Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's face as if the two were shooting a scene straight out of a reality show. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 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

Pulling out the rocket launcher Mac had bought him on the dark web, Dennis was genuinely overcome, caressing his bucket-list war weapon in stunned gratitude, while Mac beamed in what, on any other show, would be heartwarming friendship. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026

The couple posed for photos at the event, drawing attention to their gestating bundle of joy by framing and caressing Palvin’s belly. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals. — ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026

The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positivity, according to the news release. — Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026

Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

The 39-year-old Nigerian-British actress hit the first official awards show of the season, donning a canary yellow gown and caressing her bump as the cameras flashed. — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026