as in cherished
granted special treatment or attention
her grandparents' constant doting made her feel especially loved
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in valued
to hold dear
patriots who loved their country well enough to die for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Favorites like the Evolution Cool ($52 after discount), Evolution S3 ($32 after discount), and The Neck Evolution S3 (TNE) ($44 after discount) are all wonderful gifting options for loved ones of all ages.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Miller Rogen is hopeful that the film resonates with all caregivers – not just those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 May 2026
GoFundMe pages have since been created for the loved ones of Al-Shurman and Temo.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Their legs trembled beneath them, their hands and heads shook with anxiety, and at times Snow, in tears, curled into the arms of friends and loved ones.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Your partner limits your interactions with loved ones.
—Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Skeletal remains are air-dried, processed and returned to loved ones as powder in an urn or shaped as stones.
—Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 2 May 2026
But ProPublica and The Philadelphia Inquirer found that, as written, the deal will toss thousands of damage claims filed by individuals who lost a loved one or their sobriety to OxyContin.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Dustin Wakefield loved music, Jesus, and his family.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 16 May 2026
And no one loved me or was a bigger fan of me of anyone else than my sister.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
To him, Hepburn was just his sweet, hands-on, sometimes cheesy mother who loved to sneakily eat spaghetti with ketchup and snuggle with him while watching tv.
—Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
Scheffler helps set the pace Sport, particularly golf, is loved for its unexpected nature.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Spirit Airlines was the budget-friendly carrier America loved to hate.
—Dalila Muata, NBC news, 9 May 2026
Sad to leave Lake Norman The couple loved hosting social gatherings and a big 4th of July bash, Donald Young said.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2026
Since the beginning of the case, defense attorneys have argued that Winter’s parents loved their child and acted with no intent that would justify murder charges.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Adjective
Jonze embarks on a journey to Miami, but now seeks revenge for the death of her loved ones.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Favorites like the Evolution Cool ($52 after discount), Evolution S3 ($32 after discount), and The Neck Evolution S3 (TNE) ($44 after discount) are all wonderful gifting options for loved ones of all ages.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Miller Rogen is hopeful that the film resonates with all caregivers – not just those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 May 2026
GoFundMe pages have since been created for the loved ones of Al-Shurman and Temo.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Their legs trembled beneath them, their hands and heads shook with anxiety, and at times Snow, in tears, curled into the arms of friends and loved ones.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Your partner limits your interactions with loved ones.
—Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Skeletal remains are air-dried, processed and returned to loved ones as powder in an urn or shaped as stones.
—Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 2 May 2026
But ProPublica and The Philadelphia Inquirer found that, as written, the deal will toss thousands of damage claims filed by individuals who lost a loved one or their sobriety to OxyContin.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Verb
He was truly loved by everyone and will be missed.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Dustin Wakefield loved music, Jesus, and his family.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 16 May 2026
And no one loved me or was a bigger fan of me of anyone else than my sister.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
To him, Hepburn was just his sweet, hands-on, sometimes cheesy mother who loved to sneakily eat spaghetti with ketchup and snuggle with him while watching tv.
—Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
Scheffler helps set the pace Sport, particularly golf, is loved for its unexpected nature.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Spirit Airlines was the budget-friendly carrier America loved to hate.
—Dalila Muata, NBC news, 9 May 2026
Sad to leave Lake Norman The couple loved hosting social gatherings and a big 4th of July bash, Donald Young said.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2026
Since the beginning of the case, defense attorneys have argued that Winter’s parents loved their child and acted with no intent that would justify murder charges.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
Adjective
-
Grubs, the larval stage of beetles such as Japanese beetles and June bugs, are notorious garden pests that feed on the roots of cherished plants and grass.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
8 May 2026
-
With Grace, his cherished daughter, books framed their fleeting bond.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
As of 2024, Port Laredo accounted for 62% of the state’s land port trade, valued at nearly $340 billion, according to data collected by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
11 May 2026
-
The result is a standardized way of comparing chocolate, allowing cacao to be priced and valued according to its quality.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Khedarrion loved helping his family and adored his principal.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
Now, Bolles is adored by Broncos Country because of his ability, loyalty and toughness.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Woodward and McNeela are both captains who enjoyed Marist’s celebration on senior night.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
-
The chickens had indeed been attacked by a coyote, a juvenile who’d never before enjoyed the pleasures of the coop.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
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
Adjective
-
While the hotel is brand new, the private club, farm, and beloved restaurant Ninety Acres have been around for more than a decade.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
But right up until the final moments of Starz’s long-running fantasy historical romantic drama, devoted viewers feared that their beloved 20th-century English combat nurse and 18th-century Scottish highland warrior were not going to get their happy ending after all.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Sterling’s call for a player’s home run became as treasured a part of a Yankees identity as an initial set of pinstripes or a championship ring.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
John treasured his role as the voice of the New York Yankees, and his enthusiasm for the art of broadcasting perfectly complemented our city and our fans.—
Ronald Blum,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Her middle-school sister Nicole also liked the family outing.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
What Darcy liked best was to be left alone with a pile of books in a quiet room.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loved. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
