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
As investigators search for answers, a restaurant is stepping in to help grieving families and those with loved ones in the hospital. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Friends and loved ones are mourning the man who fell to his death Monday while riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. — Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Win or lose, a candidate’s campaign will consume their life and their loved ones’; a victory guarantees their life will change forever. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The best O’Hara acolytes are the ones who encourage us to see the beauty in the world, attuned to torsos on a New York Street or the majesty of making eggs for a loved one. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026 Seven strangers from different countries and backgrounds are forced to compete in a deadly game, each facing a different mission to rescue a loved one. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Family visitation is prohibited, as is keeping photos of loved ones, according to the letter. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026 Dr Nadine Lavan, a voice psychology expert at Queen Mary University of London, said her research shows that family members are very good at recognizing the voice of a loved one. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Granbery was reunited safely with her loved ones, who helped with search and rescue operations and provided critical information to help locate her, the sheriff's office said. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
Here’s your insider rundown on what the inspectors loved at Charlotte’s newest spots in the Michelin Guide — and how to actually get in the door. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 But Seville must not only be loved, it also must be protected from the onslaught of mass tourism. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 Andries loved her later work covering charitable events, her son said. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, former teammates and all who knew and loved him. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 Neil has loved the refining stocks for a while — a great call — but is now turning his focus to other names. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 Claire always loved the game, and Meredith is determined to honor her legacy. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 Since Pan loved to cook and Astaire was not so domestic, Fred would come to Hermes' house, and Pan would make dinner for the two of them—something simple, like white-bean soup and fish, say. — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 Sierra, Rifkin said, chose to suffocate a woman who loved him and her two girls, whose only crime was witnessing what had happened to their mother. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
  1. cherished
  2. valued
  3. adored
  4. enjoyed
  5. caressed
  6. beloved
  7. treasured
  8. liked
Adjective
  • Weigand spends much of his time on house calls, reviving cherished heirlooms that have long fallen silent.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In a Tuesday social media post, Kansas City’s Turnsol Books described Spiegel as a cherished member of the store’s community.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of cherished
Verb
  • Despite the spending concerns, Capital One remains attractively valued at less than 9 times consensus 2027 earnings estimates.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Microsoft’s stock is up 27% over the past six months and it’s valued at close to $4 trillion.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of valued
Verb
  • An outgoing kid from the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, who adored his little sister, Burch never regained consciousness.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of adored
Verb
  • Areas away from Chesapeake Bay have enjoyed abundant sunshine Thursday with a refreshing breeze and highs around 70°.
    — Steven Sosna, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • His youthful face belies his ability to play in one of the most demanding positions on the field, defensive midfield, a spot usually reserved for senior professionals who’ve enjoyed decades of experience.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of enjoyed
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
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of caressed
Adjective
  • But many of us have buried our beloved pets in our yards beneath new trees as an alternative to cremation.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • For this year’s show at Compton Verney, Cadogan has taken inspiration from British people who’ve written to her about losing beloved trees in their own gardens, or public spaces.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of beloved
Verb
  • 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
  • But sometimes, that’s the type of unassuming restaurant treasured most by loyal customers.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of treasured
Verb
  • On the other side is Gadi Eisenkot, a centrist former military chief who is temperate and broadly liked but lacks the political instincts to become a clear favorite.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Restless and frustrated fans, many of whom never liked the hiring of football coach Sonny Dykes to replace Gary Patterson in the first place, would prefer the school start the process of looking for a new head coach five minutes ago.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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