endear 1 of 3

verb (1)

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.

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endearing

2 of 3

adjective

in-ˈdir-iŋ How to pronounce endearing (audio)
1
as in adorable
having qualities that tend to make one loved you have to wonder about people who don't find kittens and puppies endearing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in charming
likely or intended to win one's affection his impish sense of humor is one of his more endearing traits

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

endearing

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of endear
as in massaging
to cause (someone) to be loved or admired by (someone or something) They endeared themselves to the whole town.

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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
Verb
But Ditka's hard-nosed, no-nonsense demeanor only further endeared him to Chicago fans. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 It has been pointed out that the anthropomorphization of AI is a ploy to endear us to a technology that may destroy humanity and the world, probably in that order. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
Adjective
To show what such pairings can achieve, two WSA talks will spotlight some of contemporary European cinema’s most enduring and endearing director-composer duos. — Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 That’s not about how the song would have made for a poorer fit in the country landscape of 2005 or 2015 — in truth, the song’s casual timelessness is one of its most endearing and immediately apparent qualities. — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
But after endearing us to this eager and innocent narrator, Saunders blindsides us. — Literary Hub, 5 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 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
  • Robertson commends Bowick’s candor across her two interviews, the first of which spanned two days of filming.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
  • That would certainly explain her kinship with Sander Lak, an equally eccentric colorist who commended Miller for her longevity in the industry and for remaining faithful to her customers.
    — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Less muscle on the left leg might benefit from an extra TRX session, limited shoulder mobility could take a traditional lomi 'a’e massage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Luzon layered her signature 24-karat gold mask over a professional-use DNA mask, massaging the treatment to enhance absorption.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • The film slowly relates that the aspiring rapper and superfan ingratiated himself into the band’s circles, flying to New York multiple times as a teenager for the purpose.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Lee ingratiates himself by pretending to be interested in becoming a CO himself — attracted to the manliness and the glamor.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ingratiate
Verb
  • Once the episodes, which originally aired on IFC from 2011 to 2018, started running on Netflix, the pair noticed more fans coming up to compliment the show.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The shimmery shade was used as eye shadow complimenting Nash-Betts’ long black lashes, and also paired as a gloss with brown lip liner to finish off the glam designed by Naima Jamal.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of compliment
Verb
  • Finding this family and a few others in Europe, the Reaveys coaxed them to come together in 2010.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Lynn hadn’t released a solo album since 1988’s Who Was That Stranger when White coaxed her out of early retirement.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of coax
Verb
  • Leaders from across Latin America largely congratulated Lula's historic win.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, and the the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta—both from center-right parties—congratulated Lula and declared the election valid.
    — Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Pelle Larsson cannot be traded this season (per league rules), and cajoling Dallas to take Nikola Jovic’s four-year, $62 million deal would be a tough sell.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Besides all that, Continue On has worked decently well in my experience, but only after much cajoling via the setup process.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of cajole
Verb
  • Its magical forest is filled with talking animals, tree-worshipping mystics, scheming functionaries, and the Dowager Governess (Carey Mulligan), an enchantress who commands an army of uniformed coyotes.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The long history of prejudice As religious studies scholar Michael Altman argues, the charge that Hindus worship false gods and idols took hold in American national culture nearly two centuries ago.
    — Arun Brahmbhatt, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of worship

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Cite this Entry

“Endear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endear. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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