love 1 of 2

verb

ˈləv How to pronounce love (audio)
Definition of lovenext
1
as in to adore
to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for a husband who loves his wife more than anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to treasure
to hold dear patriots who loved their country well enough to die for it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to enjoy
to take pleasure in I love playing Frisbee in the summer rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner the baby responded to my caresses and kisses by loving me right back

Synonyms & Similar Words

love

2 of 2

noun

ˈləv How to pronounce love (audio)
1
as in affection
a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone her love for her children was truly selfless

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in darling
a person with whom one is in love she is the love of my life

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in liking
positive regard for something a love of chocolate, which I will pay anything to indulge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in affair
a brief romantic relationship he refused to discuss past loves

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 love
Verb
Mary is sitting on her lap, clearly loving being the focus of such tender attention. — Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026 Professional shapeshifter Alexis Stone loves conjuring celebrities from beyond the grave. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
You are dropped into Star’s dreamlike world and taken on a trip through love, addiction and friendship. — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2026 But noting fashion was always his number-one love, Lak debuted his new genderless brand, Sanderlak, with backing from angel investors in 2025. — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for love
Recent Examples of Synonyms for love
  1. adore
  2. treasure
  3. enjoy
  4. caress
  5. affection
  6. darling
  7. liking
  8. affair
Verb
  • The two shared a friendship adored by fans, often seen greeting each other with an affectionate kiss on the lips whether on TV programs or on the red carpet.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Stewart was adored by his collaborators and the public alike.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of adore
Verb
  • The path where Suarez was running is treasured by multiple communities in southern Brooklyn.
    — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Nana’s famous apple pie recipe deserves to be passed on, so this personalized board is a sweet gift for the family cook who treasures old traditions.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of treasure
Verb
  • Activities like boating, jet-skiing, snorkeling, kayaking, and mountain biking can all be enjoyed within a five-mile radius.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • That same year, Adkins opened the lake on his Middle Tennessee property to a group from Big Brothers Big Sisters, giving children and their mentors an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing and other outdoor activities.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of enjoy
Verb
  • The most sensual scene in the movie is actually a dance number at a public gathering where the two characters slowly sway and caress each other, much to the horror and confusion of the other townsfolk.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of caress
Noun
  • Stevens was someone Howard considered a friend, a congresswoman who had earned his affection by showing up in black communities without making her office or title the center of attention.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But Langley’s affection for his hometown hasn’t kept his company from drawing, even in Atlanta, the kinds of criticism over issues of privacy, mistakes and misuse that have been simmering nationwide.
    — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of affection
Noun
  • Meta isn't exactly a Wall Street darling at the moment either, as the stock fell 14% in October for its worst month since October 2022.
    — Ari Levy, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Once a darling of the city’s liberal elite, the Los Angeles mayor is facing a challenge from a younger progressive who has friends of her own in the entertainment industry.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of darling
Noun
  • Beige is a bit too basic for our liking, whereas camel brings cozy warmth and chic sophistication with its golden-brown undertones.
    — InStyle, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Anyone who’s had a game console and played Madden has arranged depth charts to their liking and made game-management decisions to feel like a head coach.
    — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of liking
Noun
  • But the first half was a choppy affair because of all the fouls being called.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In the long term, the results lend weight to a prediction from OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, that AI will be the defining issue of the 2028 presidential election.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of affair

Phrases Containing love

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lovable
love
love affair
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Cite this Entry

“Love.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/love. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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