1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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

Relevance
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 Melissa McCarthy Melissa McCarthy notably led the lash trend on the carpet, adding full sets that flew over her matte shadow and kissed the tops of her hooded lids. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026 The pair were first romantically linked in April 2023 after being spotted kissing, as seen in photographs shared by Page Six at the time. — Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 Reinhart and Martin’s romance dates back to April 2023, when they were first spotted kissing outside LAX Airport in photos obtained by Page Six. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026 Deerfield junior running back Mycol Cochran can kiss anonymity goodbye. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 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
  • After taking over the farm several months ago, the Lamason and Hall families purchased the cows and began offering cow-cuddling sessions in a cozy barn beside the property’s creek.
    — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Alongside a taste of Texas, there’s a side to the beaver with less cuddle and sharper claws.
    — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of cuddle
Verb
  • Thick fringe folded over the front of her face, mingling with her spider-leg lashes, which brushed the bottom of her brows.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Inside, plastic gives way to brushed aluminum and Alcantara upholstery – a synthetic suede-like fabric– and the classic circular dials are reborn as digital displays set into a horizontal aluminum strip.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of brush
Verb
  • In July, Powell also shared a sweet photo of himself and Randolph smooching in a Fourth of July photo dump.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of smooch
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
  • Michael does have a nice moment with Joe in this man wine cave about Joe standing up for him at the round table, and they hug.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Garlin was accused by members of the cast and crew of inappropriate verbal conduct, unwanted physical contact, including hugging and touching, and behavior that some employees described as creating an uncomfortable work environment.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in her morning news briefing that experts had indicated that the hurricane was not likely to touch land.
    — DESIREE BROOKS, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Miley isn’t touching the most compelling corners of her story.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of touch
Verb
  • On Friday, September 11, the 16-time Grammy winner—whose real name is Stefani Germanotta—was photographed with her fiancé, Michael Polansky, and their child, who was snuggled against Gaga’s chest in a baby carrier.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The new parents were photographed last week on a walk with the infant in a front carrier, snuggled close to the superstar.
    — Martha Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of snuggle

Phrases Containing kiss

Browse Nearby Words

kismets
kiss
kissable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kiss. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on kiss

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kiss

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of argot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All