fondle

verb

ˈfän-dᵊl How to pronounce fondle (audio)
Definition of fondlenext
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
  1. caress
  2. pat
  3. stroke
Verb
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of caress
Verb
  • Merrill helped Tatis to his feet and patted him on the chest.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • When an excitable teenager cut in front of my dad, Frankenstein — without saying a word — gestured for the kid to be patient and wait, patted my dad on the back and posed for a picture.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of pat
Verb
  • Videos from Xinhua show the knobby-kneed newborn resting on straw, being stroked and examined by scientists in white coats.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting in the corner contemplating their feelings or hoping someone will stroke their egos.
    — Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of stroke
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.

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on fondle

Nglish: Translation of fondle for Spanish Speakers

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