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
Following the funeral and vigil, the military will offer support for her loved ones, along with Legion Post 597 based in Carrollton. — Mary Ella Hastings july 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026 Her concerns were ultimately met with support from her loved ones. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 And now the discovery of this wreck could offer new hope for families who lost loved ones in other ocean crashes like Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 that disappeared 12 years ago with 269 people aboard. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 In a lengthy statement to The Sacramento Bee, Davis Police Chief Todd Henry extended his thoughts to the families and loved ones of Breaux, Abou Najm and the surviving Guillory. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 In other photos, Collins wears a white halter dress surrounded by loved ones. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Thousands of families continued to search for loved ones, with little help. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 The grim circumstances have since continued, according to the accounts of five immigrants detained there, their lawyers and loved ones. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026 Authorities said the group had gathered to scatter the ashes of a loved one during a family memorial service. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2026
Verb
Cena went a bit too ‘method’ with his heel persona, becoming cold, mean, and detached to the audience that loved him. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Vienna received perfect scores for healthcare and education, and like Copenhagen, is loved for its walkability and reliable, safe public transportation. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026 As well as his dazzling talent, supporters loved the tireless work rate and enthusiasm of their No 7. — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Christopher Nolan’s new blockbuster, The Odyssey, revisits Homer’s 3,000-year-old story this year, and with it, shines a light on real-life places where the mythical Greek king Odysseus lived, fought, and loved. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026 He is owed comfort, dignity, and the assurance that he won’t be forgotten by those who loved him, that he will be genuinely mourned. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Pop crossovers, polished ballads and the young seeds of bro-country were what populated the radio, but Church loved harder rock influences, outlaw heroes, and even the Muscle Shoals soul. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026 The quaint downtown is easily walkable and peppered with shops that have been family run for generations and restaurants loved by all ages. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026 Although her sister Elizabeth loved to escape to the countryside and the Scottish Highlands, Margaret had a preference for posher digs, according to the current owner of Old House, Amanda Walsh. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 15 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
  • Shadow is a calm, gentle husky, a nice girl who will become a cherished member of any family.
    — Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 18 July 2026
  • In the aftermath, the community lost its most cherished annual affair and both COVID and rising insurance rates made bringing the festival back a longshot.
    — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Definition of cherished
Verb
  • Roh had asked for the assets to be valued based on a different date in the divorce proceedings in 2026, then worth significantly more.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Kalshi, which the president’s son also advises, was valued at $22 billion in May after its trading volume more than tripled.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of valued
Verb
  • Having Nick and Charlie end their relationship—a relationship genuinely adored by the Heartstopper fandom— was not a decision Oseman made lightly.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 17 July 2026
  • Anna’s attitude speaks to the jealousy that fuels the movie’s wider narrative – Jack is adored, largely inappropriately, by all the members of his family – while his father’s probing highlights a warped sense of entitlement.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of adored
Verb
  • Root actually enjoyed being back in charge at the Oval last month even though he was dealt the toughest of hands having to lead a side against New Zealand that included three Test debutants and two other players with only one appearance each.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The South Florida fruits are mostly enjoyed fresh by home gardeners, but they’ve also been baked into French fries — and even turned into vodka.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 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
  • Each post has been circulated repeatedly with desperate pleas from bereaved owners and basic information about their beloved animals.
    — Anabella Gonzalez, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • Shio pan, or Japanese salt bread, is the beloved bakery staple that has quickly gained traction and spread from Japan throughout Asia over the past decade.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
Definition of beloved
Verb
  • The Ritz-Carlton is the gold standard of hospitality, and Merit’s formulas are treasured among A-listers like Martha Stewart and Katie Holmes for good reason.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 22 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of treasured
Verb
  • For the most part, Davis says, fans liked it when it was introduced.
    — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 17 July 2026
  • A lot of people in the south and southwest suburbs who either liked trains or just wanted to see the Big Boy in action lined streets and fields along the route to see the Union Pacific treasure in action.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 17 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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