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

Some participants loved the program, which, like EST, took place over four days and focused on personal transformation. — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Last month, two puppies who were found abandoned in a New York City dumpster, their muzzles wired shut, completed their recovery and moved on to loving homes. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

In a tribute post, Billy Ray Cyrus shared his love for Parton, reminiscing on her music and her TV appearances. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

How Parton showed love to the LGBTQ community and what her support meant to them. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing love

• love affair
• love child
• making love