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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
  • 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
  • In one video, pop singer Madison Beer was seen caressing Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's face as if the two were shooting a scene straight out of a reality show.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of caress
Verb
  • Trump repeatedly patted Xi on the back, a gesture considered highly inappropriate in Chinese political culture.
    — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Menace put an arm around him, patted him on the back and accompanied him toward the ring.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of pat
Verb
  • Rookie Ethan Salas stroked an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday night as the San Diego Padres edged the visiting Miami Marlins 7-6.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • But Kim stroked a walk-off single into left field in the ninth inning off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Fondle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fondle. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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