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

But to anyone who has read and loved her work, the desire for the space and time and quiet to read and concentrate makes perfect sense. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Andy Kotelnicki would love to reenact one of the greatest moments in sports history after the final seconds tick off the clock in the Kansas-Arizona State football game Saturday at tradition-rich Wembley Stadium in London, England. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026

Noun

The premiere episode centered around the usual suspects, Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny, and their newfound love of e-bikes. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

This Valentine’s Day, fall in love with a shimmery lion played by Meryl Streep. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing love

• love affair
• love child
• making love