Synonyms of love

love 1 of 2

verb

ˈləv 

1

as in to adore

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for

a husband who loves his wife more than anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adore
• cherish
• worship
• fall for
• carry the torch (for)
• idealize
• idolize
• revere
• carry a torch (for)
• reverence
• lose one's heart (to)
• venerate
• delight (in)
• adulate
• canonize
• dote (on)
• deify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• loathe
• detest
• abhor
• dislike
• antagonize
• displease
• disapprove (of)
• abominate
• revolt
• execrate
• repel
• disgust
• turn off
• sicken
• repulse
• disfavor
• nauseate

2

as in to treasure

to hold dear

patriots who loved their country well enough to die for it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treasure
• appreciate
• value
• enjoy
• cherish
• admire
• like
• respect
• prize
• regard
• relish
• revere
• reverence
• delight (in)
• fancy
• revel (in)
• venerate
• adore
• set store by
• dig
• memorialize
• esteem
• groove (on)
• caress
• enshrine
• worship
• idolize
• dote (on)
• apprize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• despise
• loathe
• detest
• undervalue
• abhor
• disdain
• slight
• minimize
• scorn
• forget
• sniff (at)
• disvalue
• scout
• disparage
• abandon
• depreciate
• decry
• belittle
• snub
• neglect
• put down
• abominate
• write off
• deprecate
• execrate
• high-hat
• cry down
• bad-mouth
• kiss off

3

as in to enjoy

to take pleasure in

I love playing Frisbee in the summer rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enjoy
• like
• savor
• relish
• adore
• appreciate
• rejoice (in)
• delight (in)
• admire
• get off (on)
• take to
• fancy
• revel (in)
• go for
• dig
• get a kick out of
• groove (on)
• have a soft spot for
• revere
• treasure
• prefer
• cherish
• value
• venerate
• be partial to
• worship
• prize
• drink (in)
• eat (up)
• cotton (to)
• feast (on)
• devour
• idolize
• indulge (in)
• dote (on)
• favor
• wallow (in)
• luxuriate (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• dislike
• loathe
• detest
• abhor
• despise
• condemn
• scorn
• abominate

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

• caress
• pat
• stroke
• pet
• hug
• fondle
• gentle
• cradle
• cuddle
• snuggle
• spoon
• nuzzle
• feel up
• baby
• embrace
• neck
• paw
• nestle
• enfold
• indulge
• canoodle
• nose
• bill
• spoil
• pamper
• knead
• massage
• bounce
• dandle
• coddle
• mollycoddle

love

2 of 2

noun

ˈləv 

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

• affection
• passion
• devotion
• respect
• fondness
• enthusiasm
• desire
• longing
• appreciation
• attachment
• adoration
• liking
• regard
• devotedness
• preference
• loyalty
• like
• infatuation
• craving
• taste
• relish
• yearning
• zeal
• lust
• crush
• eagerness
• favor
• fervor
• worship
• fancy
• esteem
• fidelity
• partiality
• allegiance
• appetite
• faithfulness
• ardor
• idolatry
• steadfastness
• estimation
• adulation
• fealty
• deification
• idolization

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• hatred
• loathing
• dislike
• hostility
• abomination
• enmity
• antagonism
• rancor
• animosity
• allergy
• aversion
• disgust
• antipathy
• revulsion
• repulsion
• disfavor
• abhorrence
• repugnance
• misanthropy

2

as in darling

a person with whom one is in love

she is the love of my life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darling
• sweetheart
• sweetie
• lover
• dear
• sweet
• girlfriend
• beloved
• boyfriend
• wife
• girl
• flame
• husband
• boy
• honey
• hon
• squeeze
• truelove
• mistress
• sweetie pie
• bride
• gal
• amour
• man
• pet
• beau
• paramour
• ladylove
• admirer
• inamorata
• date
• fellow
• steady
• doll
• lass
• groom
• swain
• fiancé
• crush
• escort
• significant other
• duck(s)
• wooer
• intended
• tootsie
• suitor
• heartthrob
• gallant

3

as in liking

positive regard for something

a love of chocolate, which I will pay anything to indulge

Synonyms & Similar Words

• liking
• like
• preference
• appetite
• taste
• craving
• use
• fondness
• enthusiasm
• relish
• love affair
• tendency
• desire
• thirst
• fancy
• favor
• partiality
• shine
• interest
• longing
• passion
• prejudice
• weakness
• inclination
• gusto
• bias
• hankering
• yen
• propensity
• tooth
• bent
• palate
• leaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hatred
• dislike
• disgust
• loathing
• distaste
• aversion
• disfavor
• indifference
• apathy
• mislike
• disinclination
• unconcern

4

as in affair

a brief romantic relationship

he refused to discuss past loves

Synonyms & Similar Words

• affair
• romance
• fling
• love affair
• intrigue
• amour
• infatuation
• liaison
• attachment
• flirtation
• dalliance
• entanglement
• passion
• hanky-panky
• idyll
• calf-love
• puppy love

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of love

Verb

As the lone male intern, Leonard, Zolghadri gets to be a bit more sardonic and removed, but the actor loved watching how every character’s journey unfolded in hyper-specificity. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Pegula broke back to love for 2-2, but Navarro immediately brought up two more break points. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

We’re thrilled to be included in their impeccable assortment and love that customers can discover Frank & Eileen with this one-of-a-kind retailer. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Thousands of museums that house collections big and small help transmit France's love of culture and history from one generation to the next. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing love

• love affair
• love child
• making love