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
  • As if that same sea that caresses the feet of the palms were doing it now in Tokyo, in your house.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Breasts are caressed and thighs crisscross; kisses are planted, and occasionally there’s a glimpse of something more graphic.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of caress
Verb
  • And, like with Quincosa, a Customs agent patted Castillo down and found multiple plastic tubes covered in tape concealed under his pants.
    — David Goodhue October 7, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • That’s why his five fellow umpires made a point of patting him on the back or shoulder before jogging to their positions for the first pitch.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of pat
Verb
  • The young woman on the left strokes her hair and tells her not to be nervous.
    — Anna Griffin, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Charli even stroked the bathroom hand dryer — a clever reference to everybody’s favorite scene in Desperately Seeking Susan.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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