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 As Mercury transits Virgo and Venus transits Libra during the first part of September, the public-facing parts of your chart are empowered to communicate effectively and endear yourself to whoever’s listening. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 Parton endeared herself to the red and the blue, the heartland and the coasts, even as the monoculture splintered and political polarization turned friends into strangers. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for endear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for endear

Verb

All three of our judges commend him for his commanding presence on the dance floor, and Derek even compares him to Patrick Swayze.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Williams commended Lock on his preparation, which was apparent to plenty of Seattle’s players last Wednesday and long before.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of commend

Verb

There was a hope that Harry and Meghan would keep their heads down and ingratiate themselves back into British life.

— Janelle Ash , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Season four, which premieres in November, follows the engaged couple as Peggy attempts to ingratiate herself with the Kirklands but not lose herself in the process.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of ingratiate

Verb

The teacher allegedly complimented Jane Doe repeatedly and touched her during class.

— Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
Chard seals in moisture and flavor very well, yet its flavors naturally compliment both the salmon and the tomatoey broth that surrounds it.

— Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of compliment

Verb

Rescuers carefully coaxed the snake away from the home and boxed it up for relocation shortly after their arrival.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Two years ago, in the lead-up to one of these clashes, a reporter coaxed a smile out of then-Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of coax

Verb

When Reddick won the Daytona 500 in February, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell and chief operating officer Ben Kennedy were among the first to congratulate Jordan, the trio embracing in a hall outside Jordan’s suite.

— Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
But for now, let’s all giggle at how fully Naheim ignored Bryan when going to congratulate Jude.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Verb

Austrian by birth, celebrated for his artistry with cocktails and worshipped by the most refined drinkers in Europe and America, the man is a legend in the world of luxury.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of worship

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“Endear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endear. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of endear

verb

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