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
With all of its forward momentum, Medellín has still managed to hold onto the qualities that residents have always loved about it. — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 Comic creators Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley love to tug on, then mess with, your nostalgia. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
Patricia Clarkson and Amy Madigan are also in the dugout for what is being described as a love letter to baseball and is based on a short story by Dave Eggers, the author behind A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 Indeed, Dependence is a thoughtful exploration of addiction and the unique power of paternal love. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Oct. 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
  • Back on property, the outdoor pool sits peacefully at the edge of the vineyard next to two large oaks (one of which has a storybook-like swing hanging from it, which the youngest guests adored).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • These cheery yellow flowers produce a thin, needlelike seed that is rich with oil and dense with nutrients that towhees, nuthatches, cardinals and even robins adore into January.
    — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of adore
Verb
  • Canes fans need not be reminded, but treasure every moment watching Toney.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of treasure
Verb
  • Residents enjoy a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole golf course, miles of hiking and biking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, and endless opportunities on Lake Keowee, including boating, swimming, or simply quiet moments on the water.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, desperate to enjoy all the benefits of her unconventional and self-serving situation, without shouldering any of the blame, Uta proposes that Morio be the donor for Junna’s child, and that all three of them move in together.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 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
  • Nothing seems to be too much trouble for the staff who clearly have an affection for the property and its owners, with many having worked there for decades.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Then, in 2000, Miramax’s aggressive campaigning and the universal affection for 67-year-old Michael Caine handed the veteran actor his second statuette.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of affection
Noun
  • Very often, my darling husband Steven will quietly deliver a sandwich to my desk.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Our favorite dress picks have a variety of styles and versatile features, like darling ruffles, cinching waistlines, and trending silhouettes.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of darling
Noun
  • This flamboyantly ambitious novel, which takes place in a version of Atlanta known as Atlantis, follows the life of George Washington Jonson, a Black cop with a liking for white women.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Democrats must decide whether to take the deal in front of them or, possibly with a congressional majority next year, craft a version more to their liking that may be met with staunch GOP opposition and, thus, gridlock purgatory yet again.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of liking
Noun
  • The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker is the kind of bistro that perfectly captures the casual LA vibe while Cavatina is a more dressed up affair and perfect for date night.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In recent months, there's been the Epstein affair, and, in France, scandals surrounding after-school programs are piling up.
    — Baptiste Mandrillon, Time, 7 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on love

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about love

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