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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
Bass delves into the ease (or difficulty) of loving people in terms anyone could grasp, sanding down the uniqueness of Cyrus’s viewpoint. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 Imama plays with a simple, yet physical nature that coach Paul Maurice loves on his fourth line. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
My love for Ayr United in the second-tier Scottish Championship is far more exhilarating, in my opinion, and is something that will never be broken. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 Bateman’s of the mindset that, at the end of the day, everyone’s looking for love and connection. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 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
  • But for those of us who adore the 1995 film, unfavorable comparisons seem inevitable.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
  • One of the most notable moments — and the scene apparently being filmed — was a sequence of shots showing the three bandmembers running away from swarps of adoring fans.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of adore
Verb
  • After a brief stint in the transfer portal in January, the former Hawklet stayed in Ann Arbor where his length (6-7, 310) and power in the run game are treasured.
    — PJ Green September 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
  • One aspect of Eloise’s personality that her parents and brother treasure the most is her connection with animals, from family pets to the deer and horses roaming on the ranch.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of treasure
Verb
  • Members of The Center for Fiction enjoy invitations, discounts, access to our Library collection, and more.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Days after Chinese leader Xi Jinping left Washington having enjoyed a state dinner and a marching band, both sides are still figuring out what the pageantry actually bought them.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of enjoy
Verb
  • Breasts are caressed and thighs crisscross; kisses are planted, and occasionally there’s a glimpse of something more graphic.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In one video, pop singer Madison Beer was seen caressing Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's face as if the two were shooting a scene straight out of a reality show.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of caress
Noun
  • There is a level of attention, sure, but that becomes affection and a sense of companionship.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Philippe recalled receiving illustrated letters almost every week, filled with drawings, doodles and notes of affection.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of affection
Noun
  • Lens, Heart of Midlothian and Thun were media darlings last season making bold runs at their first league titles for many decades.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Well, the cast of the upcoming season of The Traitors now has Emmy and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth, Lost star Dominic Monaghan, and sitcom (and Vulture) darling Casey Wilson, as well as Olympian Chloe Kim.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of darling
Noun
  • Through circumstance and timing, DeSantis has used appointments to drastically shape Florida politics — and its judiciary — to his liking, gifting allies the levers of power and the benefit of incumbency.
    — Zoe Millán, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
  • If that isn’t enough sand for your liking, the hotel also offers private access to idyllic Doctor’s Cave Beach and its gentle surf.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of liking
Noun
  • The vote will determine the next prime minister and the makeup of the government, which will serve alongside a powerful monarchy that retains broad authority over strategic affairs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In the space of a few paragraphs, Ned will abandon and recover his child, bungle an extramarital affair, win and lose, experience ecstasy and dejection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on love

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about love

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