as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who enjoys being fondled by his loving owners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fondle
Verb
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Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026 -
The actor followed her around at several events related to the wedding, eventually caressing the back of her arm and pressing his knee against hers under the table.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Inside the facility, Angela empties her pockets, a guard scans her with a metal-detection wand, pats her down and asks her to spread her legs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
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After a short conversation, the two patted each other on the head a couple of times and separated, each heading toward his respective locker room.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
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Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.—
Sarah Moss,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fondle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fondle. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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