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
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Attack People with narcissism often transition into the attack phase next, pummeling the character and credibility of their loved one.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The approach continues in fall 2025 with the launch of the Loved to Death sneaker, a new, pre-loved model offered in both men’s and women’s sizing.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
Mike Rotunda, a WWE legend known as IRS and father of the late wrestler Bray Wyatt, has entered hospice at 67, according to his loved ones.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
In its advisory, the State Department said Americans in Mali should draft a will and make plans with loved ones regarding care or custody of children, pets, property, belongings, nonliquid assets and funeral wishes.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The list should include contact information for loved ones, an immigration attorney, a hotline, schools, caregivers and employers.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Edwards’s most recent album, Fruit, delves into pain, loss, and reclaiming joy after losing a loved one.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
And though the two aren’t senior royals and are reportedly well-loved by everyone in the family, there’s no doubt that association with them is considered controversial these days.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2025
Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska was always an album that people loved to argue about.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Viewers loved the song, but several complained that the sound quality wasn't great.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Her father loved reading poems aloud to the family.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Our job as parents is to remain vigilant, ensure our children are loved and supported, and to seek intervention from a health care professional as necessary.
—Hannah Silverman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
Every dog deserves to be this happy and loved.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Lots of boys wanted to be like him, to be accepted, given attention, admired and loved by teachers, but the rest of us were looked down upon.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The birthday girl got all the attention, while the couple also got to enjoy sharing their special day with loved ones in a new way.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Attack People with narcissism often transition into the attack phase next, pummeling the character and credibility of their loved one.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The approach continues in fall 2025 with the launch of the Loved to Death sneaker, a new, pre-loved model offered in both men’s and women’s sizing.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
Mike Rotunda, a WWE legend known as IRS and father of the late wrestler Bray Wyatt, has entered hospice at 67, according to his loved ones.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
In its advisory, the State Department said Americans in Mali should draft a will and make plans with loved ones regarding care or custody of children, pets, property, belongings, nonliquid assets and funeral wishes.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The list should include contact information for loved ones, an immigration attorney, a hotline, schools, caregivers and employers.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Edwards’s most recent album, Fruit, delves into pain, loss, and reclaiming joy after losing a loved one.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Vitale loved it, posing for one photo after another, signing one scrap of paper after another, making one joke about his bald head after another.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
And though the two aren’t senior royals and are reportedly well-loved by everyone in the family, there’s no doubt that association with them is considered controversial these days.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2025
Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska was always an album that people loved to argue about.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Viewers loved the song, but several complained that the sound quality wasn't great.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Her father loved reading poems aloud to the family.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Our job as parents is to remain vigilant, ensure our children are loved and supported, and to seek intervention from a health care professional as necessary.
—Hannah Silverman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
Every dog deserves to be this happy and loved.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Lots of boys wanted to be like him, to be accepted, given attention, admired and loved by teachers, but the rest of us were looked down upon.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
Adjective
-
Even the cherished identification between newspaper work and literature has largely disappeared.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The Kardashians stars have owned many animals throughout the years — including a peacock, lizards, dogs, cats and more — and each one is a cherished member of the family.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In fact, disposable medical apparel is valued for helping reduce cross-contamination risk, because single-use items are not subjected to laundering cycles or reuse.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Reuters reported that the private equity firm backtracked on its bid, valued at $64 a share, about a week ago.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Hoosiers and insomniacs alike adored him.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Admired by friends and adored by women, his longing for love and recognition spurs him on.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kenny has enjoyed critical success with his previous shorts.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Bailey brought him home for a second night, where Saito caught up on laundry, enjoyed a hot shower and cooked udon noodles for his hosts.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
In one photo, the couple posed on the beach while Wyatt caressed her growing baby bump.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There are love letters to the dead in Lasky’s life interwoven into these essays, including to her father (a judge who died, slowly, from Alzheimer’s), her artist mother, her dog Lucy, beloved poet friends, Mayer herself.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The set was comprised of songs from across the beloved group’s discography, including The Bends (1995), OK Computer (1997), Kid A (2000), Amnesiac (2001), Hail to the Thief (2003), In Rainbows (2007), The King of Limbs (2011) and A Moon Shaped Pool (2016).—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The soup is treasured for its creamy texture and tangy flavor.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Mark Collins, who was born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada, said Canadians have long treasured their friendship with the United States and the fact that the US-Canada border is the longest undefended border on the planet.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Katya hadn’t liked his plan, Ryan said.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Like me — a reluctant movie guy who never liked racing, and now somehow has three racecars.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loved. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share