loved 1 of 2

adjective

as in cherished
granted special treatment or attention her grandparents' constant doting made her feel especially loved

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

loved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of love
1
as in valued
to hold dear patriots who loved their country well enough to die for it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adored
to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for a husband who loves his wife more than anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in enjoyed
to take pleasure in I love playing Frisbee in the summer rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in caressed
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

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 loved
Adjective
Someone shoots themselves — not once, but three times in the face — and then this same sturdy character somehow has a long make-out session with a loved one. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 The freebie comes after Swift and Kelce tied the knot at Madison Square Garden on July 3 in front of loved ones, friends, celebrities, athletes and business moguls. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Family and loved ones are remembering Brittany Clark, the former Sacramento resident and Kennedy High School student killed by an alligator in a Florida river, as officials there released new details of the gruesome attack. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026 One of the best ways to harness this energy is to host an event for loved ones at home. — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 Many residents living near the warehouse have expressed concerns for their health and loved ones, with some calling for the warehouse to shut down entirely. — Jasmine Mendez follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 If your lawnmowers, gardening tools, or other yard‑maintenance supplies aren't getting much use this season (or someone gifted you new ones), many ReStore locations are happy to take your pre-loved ones. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 4 July 2026 From new bestsellers that someone discarded after reading once to rare, first-edition collections and pre-loved coffee table books, there is certainly no shortage of great finds. — Emma Taubenfeld, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 The event was preceded by a rehearsal dinner at the hotel, followed by a cocktail-and-dessert party with their friends and loved ones. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Verb
According to the couple’s daughter, like Pearl, Cotliar loved being a grandparent and kept folders with photos and accomplishments of his grandchildren. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three who loved to sing and write poetry, was shot and killed by ICE in Minneapolis in January. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 9 July 2026 Those close to him remember Jackson fondly, and as a passionate man who loved America. — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026 His character spoke louder than his accomplishments, and he was loved deeply by his teammates and coaches. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 July 2026 My husband loved getting swing tips from a golf instructor; the ship has TaylorMade clubs to rent for play in port. — Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 For three wonderful years, Will and Butch had loved Genevieve like a daughter. — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 Aside from the girly designs, Frankies Bikinis is loved for its long-lasting, durable fabrics. — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 2 July 2026 Embodying the best of what the FIFA World Cup might hope to be was the enchanting tale of Lawrence adopting Algeria and being loved right back. — Vahe Gregorian july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
  1. cherished
  2. valued
  3. adored
  4. enjoyed
  5. caressed
  6. beloved
  7. treasured
  8. liked
Adjective
  • And about month after he was taken, federal immigration agents swarmed Charlotte and the very neighborhood that held Omar’s cherished memories.
    — Julia Coin Updated July 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
  • For many years, Kirby compiled annual cookbooks featuring the group's favorite recipes from that year, creating a collection that chronicles both memorable meals and cherished friendships.
    — Christina Daves, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of cherished
Verb
  • In April 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK banned the export to Russia of luxury items valued over £250 ($330), including art and antiques.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 10 July 2026
  • Tiny valued Letterboxd at $50 million back then and is now seeking a valuation of $250 million.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
Definition of valued
Verb
  • Situated in an elegant French neoclassical building in Barcelona’s Eixample district, the hotel puts you just footsteps away from luxury shopping, restaurants adored by locals, and masterpieces by Gaudí and other Spanish architects.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Messi is adored and idolised as much as Ronaldo, but he is not fanaticized anywhere near as deeply as Ronaldo.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of adored
Verb
  • After its Locarno debut, the film won the Silver Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival and Best Debut from The German Film Critics’ Association and also enjoyed a buzzy North American release via Oscilloscope Laboratories.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026
  • The Reting Rinpoche dispatched a search team of high lamas, who soon heard about a precocious 2-year-old who enjoyed larking inside chicken coops but also frequently spoke yearningly about making a long journey to Lhasa.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of enjoyed
Verb
  • Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
  • In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of caressed
Adjective
  • For something slower and more sceney, Bardot-era Le Club 55 remains one of the most beloved lunches on the peninsula and is often visited by the Hollywood crowd.
    — Karli Poliziani, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
  • Anixter, Wrigleyville’s beloved ‘Pink Hat Guy,’ died Tuesday night from complications with surgery, according to his family.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of beloved
Verb
  • The question of cultural appropriation Cultural appropriation is generally defined as when people from a dominant culture adopt or exploit a cultural practice that is treasured by another culture, without properly understanding the history or context of that practice.
    — Jeremy David Engels, The Conversation, 23 June 2026
  • The storied tree is treasured not only for its age, stature and beauty, but for connections to the legend of Robin Hood, said to have hidden along with his band of outlaws inside the trunk to escape the Sheriff of Nottingham.
    — Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Definition of treasured
Verb
  • Which Beyoncé song would Hart have liked to work into Lestat’s music as an influence?
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Everything changed when the club were approached with the information that Glasner liked the idea of joining them.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of liked

Browse Nearby Words

love child
loved
lovelessness
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Cite this Entry

“Loved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loved. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of loved for Spanish Speakers

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