love

1 a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone her love for her children was truly selfless Synonyms affection, attachment, devotedness, devotion, fondness, passion Related Words appetite, fancy, favor, like, liking, partiality, preference, relish, taste; craving, crush, desire, infatuation, longing, lust, yearning; ardor, eagerness, enthusiasm, fervor, zeal; appreciation, esteem, estimation, regard, respect; adoration, adulation, deification, idolatry, idolization, worship; allegiance, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, steadfastness Near Antonyms allergy, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, disfavor, dislike, enmity, hostility; abhorrence, disgust, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion; misanthropy Antonyms abomination, hate, hatred, loathing, rancor

2 a person with whom one is in love she is the love of my life Synonyms beloved, darling, dear, flame, hon, honey, sweetheart, squeeze [slang], sweet, sweetie, sweetie pie, trueloveRelated Words beau, boy, boyfriend, fellow, man, swain; gal, girl, girlfriend, inamorata, ladylove, lass, mistress, tootsie; amour, lover, paramour; doll, duck(s) [chiefly British], pet; date, escort, steady; admirer, gallant, suitor, wooer; groom, husband; bride, wife; significant other; fiancé, intended; crush, heartthrob

3 positive regard for something a love of chocolate, which I will pay anything to indulge Synonyms appetite, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love affair, partiality, preference, relish, shine, taste, useRelated Words craving, desire, hankering, longing, thirst, yen; enthusiasm, gusto, interest, passion; bias, prejudice; bent, inclination, leaning, propensity, tendency; tooth; palate; weaknessNear Antonyms apathy, disinclination; indifference, unconcernAntonyms aversion, disfavor, disgust, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing, mislike

4 a brief romantic relationship he refused to discuss past loves Synonyms amour, fling, affair, love affair, romanceRelated Words intrigue, liaison; dalliance, hanky-panky; attachment, infatuation; entanglement, flirtation; idyll (also idyl), passion; calf-love, puppy love

1 to hold dear patriots who loved their country well enough to die for it Synonyms appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value Related Words delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, relish, revel (in); admire, apprize, esteem, regard, respect, revere, reverence, venerate; enshrine, memorialize; adore, caress, dote (on), idolize, worship Phrases set store by (or set store on) Near Antonyms undervalue; abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe; disdain, high-hat, scorn, scout, slight, sniff (at), snub; bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, kiss off, minimize, put down, write off; abandon, forget, neglect Antonyms disvalue

2 to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for a husband who loves his wife more than anything Synonyms adore, cherish, worship Related Words adulate, canonize, deify, idealize, idolize; revere, reverence, venerate; delight (in), dote (on) Phrases carry a torch for (or carry the torch for), fall for, lose one's heart (to) Near Antonyms antagonize, displease; disapprove (of), disfavor, dislike; disgust, nauseate, repel, repulse, revolt, sicken, turn off Antonyms abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe

3 to take pleasure in I love playing Frisbee in the summer rain Synonyms adore, delight (in), dig, fancy, get off (on), groove (on), like, enjoy, rejoice (in), relish, revel (in), savor (also savour)Related Words admire, appreciate, cherish, revere, venerate, worship; prize, treasure, value; devour, drink (in), eat (up), feast (on); dote (on), idolize; cotton (to), favor, prefer; indulge (in), luxuriate (in), wallow (in)Near Antonyms abhor, abominate, detest, dislike, hate, loathe; condemn, despise, scorn

4 to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner the baby responded to my caresses and kisses by loving me right back Synonyms caress, gentle, fondle, pat, pet, strokeRelated Words bill, canoodle, cuddle, neck, nestle, nose, nuzzle, snuggle, spoon; feel up, paw; cradle, embrace, enfold, hug; bounce, dandle; knead, massage; baby, coddle, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil