ENDEAR Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

endear

verb

Definition of endear

as in to commend

to cause (someone) to be loved or admired by (someone or something) They endeared themselves to the whole town.

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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 endear Lydon, the singer, was smart, gobby and gleefully provocative, which endeared him to the band’s manager, Malcolm McLaren, a fashion designer who’d briefly managed the New York Dolls. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026 For three decades, the cartoon superhero has endeared himself to generations — including Isbel’s son, Lane. — Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026 Katseye doesn’t seem to get in as much trouble as K-pop idols have in the past for swearing; a patina of unruliness has endeared the group to its followers. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 What the story is actually about almost doesn’t matter — just enjoy the quiet luxury of it all, with the ever-endearing Fabrice Luchini in the lead doing yet another bumbling, bourgeois gentleman of a certain age. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for endear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for endear

Verb

Gates joined Rodrigo on stage to commend her for her philanthropic efforts with Daisy Chain Fields.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
Pawsitive Tails Dog Rescue posted on Facebook commending the work of volunteers who banded together to care for the dogs.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of commend

Verb

These included cleaning, caring for Chong’s children and massaging his feet without pay, 7NEWS reported.

— Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared to suffer a cramp in his left foot, threw up, and took a medical time-out to have his back massaged between the fourth and fifth sets before losing to Argentine player Mariano Navone.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of massage

Verb

This was Stones’ way of repaying the supporters and ingratiating himself with his new public.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
By dint of being more active than Harris – and others – have been, Newsom has been able to ingratiate himself with donors.

— Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 16 July 2026

Definition of ingratiate

Verb

Inside, under flickering lights, a group of reluctant strangers is coaxed into acting out, in a converted gymnasium, a wild tale promising redemption from agonizing tragedy.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
The hard-throwing righty then coaxed a soft grounder from Luis Arraez to secure his third save of the season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of coax

Verb

The leaders of right-wing populist parties in Spain and Portugal also congratulated AfD, German news agency dpa reported.

— Kirsten Grieshaber, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Sep. 2026
Christian Democrat candidate Sven Schulze took to the stage on Sunday evening to congratulate the AfD on its win.

— Esme Nicholson, NPR, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Verb

The latter is embodied by an underground race of telepathic mutants who worship an unexploded nuclear bomb and find themselves in conflict with the apes, as well as the few surviving humans, on the way to a finale that out-tragedies the original.

— Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
With only Lucien, a freshly out twink with more heart than abs, still by his side, Jim must race to find a cure before the disease erases the community that once worshipped him.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of worship

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endear

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Style

“Endear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endear. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of endear

verb

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