CARRIES A TORCH (FOR) Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

carries a torch (for)

phrase

variants or carries the torch (for)

present tense third-person singular of carry a torch (for)

as in loves

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for She still carries a torch for her husband after over 30 years of marriage.

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for carries a torch (for)

falls for

Phrase

Mosleh plays Parmiss Mansour, the grad student who falls for Nava (Amanda Wear) and dealing with coming out, including to her overbearing traditional Muslim family.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026
In the Prime Video show based on the Elle Kennedy book series of the same name, Cameli plays the dashing, curly-haired hockey star Garrett Graham, who falls for music student Hannah Wells (played by Ella Bright).

— Morgan Evans, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Definition of falls for

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.

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carries

carries a torch (for)

carries away

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“Carries a torch (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carries%20a%20torch%20%28for%29. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of carries a torch (for)

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