love

1 a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone her love for her children was truly selfless Synonyms of love affection, attachment, devotedness, devotion, fondness, passion Words Related to love appetite, fancy, favor, like, liking, partiality, preference, relish, taste; craving, crush, desire, infatuation, longing, lust, yearning; ardor, eagerness, enthusiasm, fervor, zeal; appreciation, esteem, estimation, regard, respect; adoration, adulation, deification, idolatry, idolization, worship; allegiance, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, steadfastness Near Antonyms of love allergy, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, disfavor, dislike, enmity, hostility; abhorrence, disgust, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion; misanthropy Antonyms of love abomination, hate, hatred, loathing, rancor

2 a person with whom one is in love she is the love of my life Synonyms of love beloved, darling, dear, flame, hon, honey, sweetheart, squeeze [slang], sweet, sweetie, sweetie pie, trueloveWords Related to love beau, boy, boyfriend, fellow, man, swain; gal, girl, girlfriend, inamorata, ladylove, lass, mistress, tootsie; amour, lover, paramour; doll, duck(s) [chiefly British], pet; date, escort, steady; admirer, gallant, suitor, wooer; groom, husband; bride, wife; significant other; fiancé, intended; crush, heartthrob

3 positive regard for something a love of chocolate, which I will pay anything to indulge Synonyms of love appetite, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love affair, partiality, preference, relish, shine, taste, useWords Related to love craving, desire, hankering, longing, thirst, yen; enthusiasm, gusto, interest, passion; bias, prejudice; bent, inclination, leaning, propensity, tendency; tooth; palate; weaknessNear Antonyms of love apathy, disinclination; indifference, unconcernAntonyms of love aversion, disfavor, disgust, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing, mislike

4 a brief romantic relationship he refused to discuss past loves Synonyms of love amour, fling, affair, love affair, romanceWords Related to love intrigue, liaison; dalliance, hanky-panky; attachment, infatuation; entanglement, flirtation; idyll (also idyl), passion; calf-love, puppy love

1 to hold dear patriots who loved their country well enough to die for it Synonyms of love appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value Words Related to love delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, relish, revel (in); admire, apprize, esteem, regard, respect, revere, reverence, venerate; enshrine, memorialize; adore, caress, dote (on), idolize, worship Phrases set store by (or set store on) Near Antonyms of love undervalue; abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe; disdain, high-hat, scorn, scout, slight, sniff (at), snub; bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, kiss off, minimize, put down, write off; abandon, forget, neglect Antonyms of love disvalue

2 to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for a husband who loves his wife more than anything Synonyms of love adore, cherish, worship Words Related to love adulate, canonize, deify, idealize, idolize; revere, reverence, venerate; delight (in), dote (on) Phrases carry a torch for (or carry the torch for), fall for, lose one's heart (to) Near Antonyms of love antagonize, displease; disapprove (of), disfavor, dislike; disgust, nauseate, repel, repulse, revolt, sicken, turn off Antonyms of love abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe

3 to take pleasure in I love playing Frisbee in the summer rain Synonyms of love adore, delight (in), dig, fancy, get off (on), groove (on), like, enjoy, rejoice (in), relish, revel (in), savor (also savour)Words Related to love admire, appreciate, cherish, revere, venerate, worship; prize, treasure, value; devour, drink (in), eat (up), feast (on); dote (on), idolize; cotton (to), favor, prefer; indulge (in), luxuriate (in), wallow (in)Near Antonyms of love abhor, abominate, detest, dislike, hate, loathe; condemn, despise, scorn

4 to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner the baby responded to my caresses and kisses by loving me right back Synonyms of love caress, gentle, fondle, pat, pet, strokeWords Related to love bill, canoodle, cuddle, neck, nestle, nose, nuzzle, snuggle, spoon; feel up, paw; cradle, embrace, enfold, hug; bounce, dandle; knead, massage; baby, coddle, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil