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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in massaging
to cause (someone) to be loved or admired by (someone or something)
They endeared themselves to the whole town.
Related Words
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
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
There was no doubt the big all-Japanese fight had endeared fans to both the skills and personalities of the boxers.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 May 2026
My mom had a penchant for creating whimsy, and the gardens were always overflowing with endearing, often vintage garden decor to attract birds, butterflies, and to simply add charm.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2026
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
This slogan for Lay’s potato chips seemed endearing in mid-20th-century America, before the rise of the obesity epidemic.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for endear
Verb
The company got a boost from the Covid-19 pandemic and has tried to build on that momentum by investing in artificial intelligence, a decision that has endeared it to shareholders.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
There was no doubt the big all-Japanese fight had endeared fans to both the skills and personalities of the boxers.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Adjective
Directed by Bong, who co-wrote the script with Jason Yu, the feature — in development since 2019 — follows Ally, a curious and endearing piglet squid living in the uncharted depths of the South Pacific Ocean.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 May 2026
My mom had a penchant for creating whimsy, and the gardens were always overflowing with endearing, often vintage garden decor to attract birds, butterflies, and to simply add charm.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2026
Verb
Spaeny and Melton, who are both speedy up-and-comers in Hollywood, are endearing and talented; their performances here provide ample evidence for their meteoric rise.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
This slogan for Lay’s potato chips seemed endearing in mid-20th-century America, before the rise of the obesity epidemic.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for endear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for endear
Verb
-
In his latest letter, Uthmeier commended the league for altering the Rooney Rule language on its website after receiving his initial warning letter in March but added the revisions raise more questions.—
Rob Maaddi,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
The actor described working with Madonna in Italy and commended her work ethic.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
On Wednesday, May 13, Hailey, 29, shared an adorable video on Instagram showing her son Jack, 20 months, feeding her snacks.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
This adorable gingham matching set is crafted with 100-percent breathable cotton, as well as a relaxed, flowy cut that naturally promotes airflow.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Max is everything Inger has ever dreamed of – travelled and irresistibly charming.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
-
But for the 42-year-old content creator, cleaning goes beyond the charming aesthetics of her videos.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In October 2018, a student told her school counselor and then Hiner that Agan had come up behind her and started massaging her neck beneath her long hair.—
Holly McDede,
ProPublica,
12 May 2026
-
Berrios-Otero was later seen allegedly massaging both boys, including one of them in their groin and buttocks area, the warrant affidavits said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
In October 2018, a student told her school counselor and then Hiner that Agan had come up behind her and started massaging her neck beneath her long hair.—
Holly McDede,
ProPublica,
12 May 2026
-
Berrios-Otero was later seen allegedly massaging both boys, including one of them in their groin and buttocks area, the warrant affidavits said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sometimes, there’s no better way to pay tribute to a dear friend than by lambasting them with insults.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
When Kamyar, her co-department-head and dear friend, broaches his upcoming parental leave, Gabrielle’s response is one part scoffing to ten parts guilt-tripping.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Many subscribers to the old model had become attached to its warm, enthusiastically agreeable tone and complained at the loss of their ingratiating robotic companion.—
Cody Turner,
The Conversation,
1 May 2026
-
But the meetings were also about Döpfner ingratiating himself to the right-of-center political leaders that make up some of the UK broadsheet’s audience (and source base).—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When Buzzy disappeared, he was fully ingratiated with both communities.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
Messages where Altman appears ingratiated to Musk seem to show that Musk did most of the heavy lifting when OpenAI was founded and therefore should be awarded damages up to $150 billion, which Musk intends to donate to OpenAI’s nonprofit.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Endear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endear. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
