endearment

noun

Definition of endearmentnext
as in flattery

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 endearment Dudinha is a Portuguese term of endearment for the name Eduarda, which means rich and blessed guard. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025 Daley’s mother even made a pot of jam to give to Doherty and brought it to Jamaica with him to give as a present — which Doherty said is a gesture of endearment among the Scots. — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025 By the end of the film, a running joke where Resident 5B, due to his thick Danish accent, cannot say Aurora’s name properly becomes a term of endearment between the two, who form a new family from the broken pieces of their own. — Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025 Bubba, by the way, was a term of endearment Buffett’s bandmates and friends used around him. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for endearment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for endearment
  1. flattery
  2. adulation
  3. fawning
  4. entreaty
  5. sweet talk
  6. blandishment
  7. enticement
  8. sycophancy
Noun
  • Three Practical Moves To Create Accountability Three habits convert a flattery machine into something more useful.
    — Samuel Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • While the purpose of the video may have been didactic, Jiang tried her hand at flattery.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026
Definition of flattery
Noun
  • The adulation was directed at Harvey Levin, the co-creator and editor of the tabloid news organization.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
  • The people standing included A-list Hollywood stars and world leaders, all giving the Prince and Princess of Wales a very public show of respect and adulation.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Definition of adulation
Noun
  • Experts say that fawning is a stress response that some teens use to appease the people around them.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 5 July 2026
  • The fawning didn’t get him very far.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Definition of fawning
Noun
  • These are the people who will likely be most amenable to negotiations or personal entreaties.
    — Clio Chang, Curbed, 17 June 2026
  • Rajoub refused the entreaty, much to the frustration and embarrassment of Infantino.
    — Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Definition of entreaty
Noun
  • Watch an encounter full of sweet talk, gaslighting and tension here.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Don’t fall for compliments that don’t feel genuine, and don’t be afraid to confront whatever’s beneath someone’s sweet talk.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of sweet talk
Noun
  • Impressed by the senator’s blandishments, the egoistic journalist argues military strategy and then faces a moment of conscience.
    — Armond White, National Review, 17 May 2023
  • People want to hear blandishments about engagement and infrastructure.
    — Rory Smith, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Definition of blandishment
Noun
  • Kelly's 2022 Chicago case also ended with a guilty verdict on three counts of child pornography and three counts of child enticement.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 15 July 2026
  • The island’s other enticements are on hand, too, from visiting the island’s farm to Jumby’s legendary white night parties.
    — Sarah Turner, Robb Report, 25 June 2026
Definition of enticement
Noun
  • Anthropic's own researchers reached a similar conclusion in a paper presented at ICLR in 2024, finding that training on human preferences does not remove sycophancy and can encourage it, and that five leading assistants showed it consistently.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Until very recently, this sycophancy would have been obviously disqualifying for the role.
    — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Definition of sycophancy

Browse Nearby Words

endearing (to)
endearment
endearments
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endearment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endearment. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on endearment

Nglish: Translation of endearment for Spanish Speakers

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 invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All