fondness

noun

ˈfän(d)-nəs How to pronounce fondness (audio)
Definition of fondnessnext
1
as in love
a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone my fondness for you will never fail

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in liking
positive regard for something I have a fondness for expensive chocolate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 fondness Riley’s oeuvre, in other words, has become an object of widespread readerly love even as her books themselves can seem scoured of fondness. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 Sessa developed a true fondness for Provincetown while making the film. — Ok McCausland, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026 There’s a genuine fondness that Criston has for Gwayne; there’s a yin-yang aspect to them. — Matt Minton, Variety, 20 July 2026 Stribling was given the locker next to Juszczyk’s, and the two have talked about the rookie’s military background (his father was in the Marines) and his fondness for getting his jersey dirty on the field. — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fondness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fondness
  1. love
  2. liking
  3. affection
  4. like
  5. passion
  6. preference
  7. appetite
Noun
  • Founder Chau Nguyen said the idea grew out of his lifelong love of cars.
    — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Based on David Nicholls’ bestselling book, the series stars Marnie (Foy) and Michael (Macfadyen), who unexpectedly fall in love when their mutual friend Cleo (Crome) brings a group together for a walking weekend in the UK’s Lake District.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of love
Noun
  • The best kids basketball sets This set will encourage your kids to remain active and develop a liking for the game of basketball.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • And if the pillow isn’t quite to your liking, there’s a menu of four other options to choose from.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of liking
Noun
  • Their affection feels genuine, which makes the fault lines beneath it more troubling.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Freedom thought Cloud went low, needling him with accusations of trying to win Cunningham’s affection.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of affection
Noun
  • Unconventional living situations going viral With rentals more expensive than ever, social media posts on how to save money in New York often rack up thousands of likes.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The overseas launch is 18% above Weapons, and 11% above Scream 7 on a like-for-like basis at current exchange rates.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of like
Noun
  • Leo Tolstoy’s masterful epic—or one of them, at least—is about one woman’s scandals, passions, and ultimate tragedy, all set amid the tumult of late-19th century Russia.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Reading gains remain minimal even though effective teaching of foundational skills could turn results around quickly, that is my professional passion.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of passion
Noun
  • The Athletic reported in June that the midfielder expressed a preference to move on but bids from Nottingham Forest and Newcastle were rejected.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • These protective factors probably explain the correlation between household income and chatbot preference.
    — Alex Hartman, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of preference
Noun
  • Kahn said the life settlement companies kept seeking more growth to sate Wall Street's appetite.
    — Vito Emanuel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Tehran has also discovered that the United States has no appetite for sending ground troops into its territory.
    — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of appetite

Browse Nearby Words

fondling
fondness
font
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Cite this Entry

“Fondness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fondness. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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