kiss

verb

ˈkis How to pronounce kiss (audio)
Definition of kissnext
1
as in to cuddle
to touch one another with the lips as a sign of love it's traditional for couples to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing a gentle breeze kissing the water's surface

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 kiss For makeup lovers, a blurred, soft-matte formula like YSL’s Lovenude delivers real pigment and can be buildable, from just-kissed to deliberate and bold. — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026 The New York Post reported in April that Gomez was seen kissing a member of another office's congressional staff in 2023. — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026 The New York Post reported in April that the congressman, 51, was spotted in 2023 kissing a much younger staffer from another office. — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 The hearty meat is just barely kissed with a bit of mayo; enough to give it some zing but not overpower the meat. — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kiss
  1. cuddle
  2. brush
  3. smooch
  4. caress
  5. hug
  6. touch
  7. snuggle
Verb
  • The squeals from the little piggies about to eat lettuce and other vegetation often spark laughter, while others cuddle and comfort some of the guinea pigs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In another photo, Osbourne cuddled her 3-year-old son, Sidney, while aboard a boat.
    — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of cuddle
Verb
  • If additional hold is needed, Marjan recommends spraying Paul Mitchell Firm Hold Super Clean Extra Hairspray on the roots and brushing back before wrapping a second elastic around everything.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As for the trade talk, Vea brushed it aside as part of the business.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of brush
Verb
  • The vinyl edition comes with some special gatefold artwork that appears to show Winter smooching Carnegie Hall’s namesake and builder, Andrew Carnegie.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Luchasaurus dressed in a wig and nearly smooched Andrade El Idolo.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
Definition of smooch
Verb
  • 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
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of caress
Verb
  • Many of those in attendance brought their own stories of mental health crises of their own or loved ones, with individuals in the crowd hugging and sharing with each other after the moment of silence Thursday.
    — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The park hugs 118 winding miles of the Rio Grande, nearly a quarter of the international boundary patrolled by Customs and Border Protection in the much larger Big Bend Sector.
    — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • Allure content director Sophie Panych, whose hair is naturally fine and straight, will occasionally touch things up with a flat iron.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • During a subsequent forensic interview at the Children's Protection Center, the teen disclosed that the defendant touched her thigh and torso while tickling her.
    — John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of touch
Verb
  • Sterling could be seen snuggling up to her father as Bronze sat on his lap, while Patrick appeared to be tickling Golden, who lay next to mom Brittany in a flamingo print onesie.
    — Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Lu, who has protuberant light brown eyes, small black ears and a floppy tongue, loves to snuggle with her four-legged foster siblings and stretch out in the sun, according to the contest website.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of snuggle

Phrases Containing kiss

Browse Nearby Words

kismets
kiss
kissable
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Cite this Entry

“Kiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kiss. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on kiss

Nglish: Translation of kiss for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kiss

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