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
Another passion project is encouraging Americans, who are increasingly turning to socialism in the midst of the affordability crisis, to love capitalism again. — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 Durians' overpowering smell is fragrant to those who love it and foul to those who don't. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
The Anora filmmaker described the film — which was financed by fashion house Self-Portrait —as both a love letter to his star and her native Malaysia. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 Rather than a sentimental image of maternal love and devotion, Cassatt depicts the sheer effort of remaining oneself within the consuming closeness of caring for one’s child. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 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
  • On the 1994 comeback album Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, Sparks imagined Liberace, who died in 1987, making his own comeback in the afterlife, adored again as a phantom haunting the Earth.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 31 July 2026
  • During his rally in Milford, northwest of Detroit, the crowd was adoring.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of adore
Verb
  • The Guardians treasure pitchers with elite extension, and Yoho fits that description, as his 94 mph heater can sneak up on hitters.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Some enthusiasts will always treasure the sound and mechanical involvement of a gasoline engine, while others will welcome the instant, gutsier response and refinement of electric propulsion.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of treasure
Verb
  • Drinks, treats and a maker’s market featuring local vendors will be available for all the noncanine attendees to enjoy as well.
    — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Order the refreshing house specialty, the Valverde Spirit, and enjoy it while sitting amid the chic vintage furniture.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoy
Verb
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of caress
Noun
  • They were first popularized in Georgian England as small tokens of affection, infatuation or mourning, and examples are scattered across major museums such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The touches of that child-like wonder and affection for their long-running fans was clear throughout Sunday’s show, from the vintage, colorful special effects to the band’s nostalgic set with callbacks to previous KC appearances.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of affection
Noun
  • Once a darling of the 90s—and often paired with glossy, plastic finishes—teal now feels more nostalgic than fresh.
    — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026
  • My daddy—who saw me as the most beautiful girl in the world—always wanted his darling daughter close to him.
    — Jenisha Watts, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of darling
Noun
  • As a result, staff undergo extensive training, learning to guide customers through choosing a whiskey to their liking, within their price range.
    — Don Tse, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • If the white shade isn’t to your liking, the swimsuit also comes in a variety of playful patterns and colors.
    — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Definition of liking
Noun
  • Yu will be responsible for overseeing the business, legal and governmental affairs strategies and activities for the company globally, and succeeds Julie Swidler, who stepped down from the post earlier this summer.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Chase's mother, Jennifer Lackard, the former deputy commissioner for wellness in the community affairs division of the Mount Vernon Police Department, stood emotionless in court as she was arraigned on the same charges Tuesday.
    — Christina Fan, CBS News, 5 Aug. 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on love

Nglish: Translation of love for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about love

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