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
The city owns the stadium and surrounding parking lots, a 150-acre site that city officials would love to see Kroenke develop. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Plus, the contrasting sweatsuit-meets-princess-tulle energy of the dress and headband felt representative of the city’s eclectic style that Osaka loves. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
Fearn portrays Owen, a young sound engineer, who falls in love with a girl in a nightclub, gets her number, and the next morning realizes one of the digits is missing. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026 Approaching a parent with love and concern instead of arguing for their treatment can help alleviate a lot of stress. — Kansas City Star, 3 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
  • Tight end Eric Saubert played for him in San Francisco and adored the coach’s wit back then.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Hilary Shoulder Bag is from JW Pei, the brand that Oprah, Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, Anne Hathaway, and droves of other A-listers adore.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of adore
Verb
  • 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
  • But sometimes, that’s the type of unassuming restaurant treasured most by loyal customers.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of treasure
Verb
  • Aston Villa and Chelsea, for example, exchanged four players over the summer, with The Athletic reporting that the two organisations enjoy a strong relationship.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Home to the world’s largest Japanese diaspora, as well as sizeable Korean and Chinese communities, the Brazilian megacity of São Paulo is one of the best places outside Asia to enjoy Asian food, said Austin Bush in Travel + Leisure.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 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
  • As Flores was still celebrating, Bjornsson — the previous deadlift world-record holder (510kg) — stomped up to him and reached out to grasp his rival, but only to offer a congratulatory hug of genuine warmth and affection.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • If the jokes seem a bit more exaggerated this time and their bond much less complex, the palpable affection coursing between Kidman and Bullock remains as sturdy a foundation as ever.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of affection
Noun
  • Copper peptides have become the darling of social media skin care hacks.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The vaunted Miami Hurricanes were able to obliterate an undermanned Stanford team out west, and the Michigan State Spartans kicked off the Pat Fitzgerald era in style with a 30-20 win over MAC darlings Toledo on Friday.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of darling
Noun
  • There’s never going to be optimal city management of road closures and detours to everyone’s liking, no matter how many public hearings of driver angst and outcry take place.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • If fruity fragrances lean too sweet for your liking and clean scents feel too minimalist, citrus perfumes may be the ideal middle ground.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of liking
Noun
  • Shelley served as the Warriors’ associate general counsel and director of business and legal affairs and risk management, and Vasquez was the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The new complaints allege that recommendation was overruled by the company's global affairs team, led by veteran political strategist Lehane, which is responsible for public relations, public policy and political relationships.
    — Shannon Bond, NPR, 2 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 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on love

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about love

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