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

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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
The judges love this routine, praising Tatyana’s power and control and her ability to always draw us in. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026 Paschall spoke by phone on Thursday with CBS News Atlanta meteorologist Orelon Sidney, who loves cats. — Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 10 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
  • Students and faculty shouldn’t have to finance years of litigation to enjoy the expressive freedoms their universities promise.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In any case, theatrical releases or (re-releases) of popular TV shows are all gravy for cinema operators, who are enjoying the biggest year at the box office since the onset of the pandemic.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 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
  • Americans have not necessarily acquired a sudden affection for the Democratic Party.
    — Robert T.F. Downes, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
  • For all of North of North’s affection for slow-burn romance and willingness to objectify Ice Cove’s hottest citizens, the Siaja-Neevee relationship is the core of the show, and the season embraces its tumultuousness and tenderness with deep feeling.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 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
  • The high-scoring, deep-shooting affair continued seconds into the second half with Egor Denim beginning the third with another trey to give the Nets a 20-point lead.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The programming available on a recent visit was largely an indoor affair, with arts and crafts, board games, a big screen for movies, and some video games on hand, though exact offerings do change.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of affair

Phrases Containing love

Browse Nearby Words

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 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on love

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about love

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