endear

verb

Definition of endearnext
as in to commend
to cause (someone) to be loved or admired by (someone or something) They endeared themselves to the whole town.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 And this is yet another example of Perez’s love for baseball, an infectious enthusiasm that endears him to fans. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026 Here’s the truth about Malkin, the part of his story that remains somewhat confounding if not endearing. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 31 July 2026 The squabbling banter between the two is priceless, even endearing. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 That lighthearted attitude is what endeared Wallace to Randolph before the teen even joined the team. — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for endear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for endear
  1. commend
  2. massage
  3. ingratiate
  4. compliment
  5. coax
  6. congratulate
  7. cajole
  8. worship
Verb
  • Maynard also commends the company for its presentation of the result, in light of AI’s tendency to copy humans’ mathematical results and present them as its own ideas.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Jonathan Whitham commended Northwest Indiana’s communities for their response to Tuesday’s storms.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • For mild nausea, massage a few drops of diluted peppermint oil directly on the stomach.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Use your fingertips to gently massage the cleanser into your skin.
    — Sherri Gordon, HEALTH, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • 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
  • What drives her attempt to use female solidarity as a way to ingratiate herself with Priscilla, a woman who is seemingly her enemy?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026
Definition of ingratiate
Verb
  • The following morning, on the train back to London, people could be overheard complimenting the play and discussing its big revelations.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • To compliment her new wardrobe Michele will need to pack some shoes, and lots of them.
    — John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of compliment
Verb
  • All that without, critics say, materially improving reporting accuracy or, critically, coaxing impactful new investment in sustainable energy.
    — Mike Feibus, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Hagerty has leveraged his garden expertise to grow an orchard of tropical fruits, coaxing them to thrive in our Mediterranean climate.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of coax
Verb
  • An emotional moment was then shown between the three of them, as well as players coming up to congratulate him afterwards.
    — Hunter DeLauder, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But instead of congratulating their long-time colleague, her co-workers, under the orders of their department head, urged her to think again.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • In the clip, Bottomley’s character can be seen cajoling Howells’ Taylor into having a drink and letting loose at a house party.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Oscar winner cajoles a reluctant LookingGlass, who plays Amziah’s former foster child Kateri, into singing along.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cajole
Verb
  • This meant unofficial gods—including those of the Jews, Syrians, and later Christians—could be worshipped there.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The leaders take over business to enrich themselves and force the population to worship them.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of worship

Browse Nearby Words

endangers
endear
endeared
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endear. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All