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
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Recent Examples of loved
Eleanor Nash
updated May 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Skeletal remains are air-dried, processed and returned to loved ones as powder in an urn or shaped as stones.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Today, one of Barry's favorite activities for romanticizing her outdoor space is playing darts with loved ones.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Now, many people working to prevent suicide, including some who have tried to harm themselves or lost a loved one to it, are calling for a broader approach.
—Aneri Pattani, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Caring for a loved one on Medicaid is a full-time job.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Ceco also reacted to Martínez's sentencing in an Instagram post on March 26, thanking her family and loved ones for their support.
—Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Other families coping with loved ones’ injuries are expected to file lawsuits in the next three weeks.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
Now, many people working to prevent suicide, including some who have tried to harm themselves or lost a loved one to it, are calling for a broader approach.
—Aneri Pattani, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
Cameron Rider had always been an athlete and loved hockey and baseball.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Maddock said Kozak had particularly loved presiding over Holy Saturday evening Mass, which is typically a time for baptizing people into the Catholic church.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
My husband retired two years ago and loved his work.
—Helen Dennis, Daily News, 2 May 2026
With more than 300 episodes served, Bob’s Burgers has become a part of the zeitgeist, loved by critics and home audiences alike.
—Jason Maxey, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2026
Jim Healy also would have loved it.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Fonda said Redford loved to climb, once scaling the big spire of Westwood’s Fox Theater and breaking his arm climbing up his chimney one Christmas.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 May 2026
You were loved — and you will be missed.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Adjective
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
—Eleanor Nash
updated May 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Skeletal remains are air-dried, processed and returned to loved ones as powder in an urn or shaped as stones.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Today, one of Barry's favorite activities for romanticizing her outdoor space is playing darts with loved ones.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Now, many people working to prevent suicide, including some who have tried to harm themselves or lost a loved one to it, are calling for a broader approach.
—Aneri Pattani, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Caring for a loved one on Medicaid is a full-time job.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Ceco also reacted to Martínez's sentencing in an Instagram post on March 26, thanking her family and loved ones for their support.
—Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Other families coping with loved ones’ injuries are expected to file lawsuits in the next three weeks.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
Now, many people working to prevent suicide, including some who have tried to harm themselves or lost a loved one to it, are calling for a broader approach.
—Aneri Pattani, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Mission-style burrito, with its monstrous circumference and segregated ingredients, strikes me as a variation best loved by the people who grew up loving it.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
Cameron Rider had always been an athlete and loved hockey and baseball.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Maddock said Kozak had particularly loved presiding over Holy Saturday evening Mass, which is typically a time for baptizing people into the Catholic church.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
My husband retired two years ago and loved his work.
—Helen Dennis, Daily News, 2 May 2026
With more than 300 episodes served, Bob’s Burgers has become a part of the zeitgeist, loved by critics and home audiences alike.
—Jason Maxey, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2026
Jim Healy also would have loved it.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Fonda said Redford loved to climb, once scaling the big spire of Westwood’s Fox Theater and breaking his arm climbing up his chimney one Christmas.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 May 2026
You were loved — and you will be missed.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
Adjective
-
The residences were born out of necessity but have become cherished events for the thousands in the band’s cult.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Elderly residents face physical obstacles like climbing stairs in buildings without working elevators, while discovering cherished items destroyed or missing.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The average team is now worth four to five billion dollars, with the Warriors valued at around twice that.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This means that the state’s standard for proving that a home should be valued at a certain amount was not met, the report found.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Jets could always re-sign Tyrod Taylor, who is adored by many within the organization.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
More than anything, in the halo headpieces that are her signature accessory, Mary recalls a medieval religious icon, the Holy Virgin as fictional diva, touching down on stages in major markets to be adored by seas of light-waving supplicants.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Everything can be enjoyed in the garden.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
That litigation is occurring as plaintiffs have enjoyed success suing social media companies over addictive app designs.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 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
-
That looks like a straight between the subscribers and young Wilfred, who was left cursing his beloved Palace for conceding that stoppage-time goal at Anfield, denying him a precious four-pointer.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
And her performance here feels more like an evolution of a beloved character rather than empty fan service.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The trail’s paths are treasured by locals and tourists alike, with more than half a million users exploring them in 2024.—
Kate Van Dyke,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As a first-generation Haitian-American, Metayer’s Haitian roots were treasured in her life in and outside of politics.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Schindler liked the way the Knights were able to play strong in those setbacks.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Emerson never much liked Hawthorne’s fiction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loved. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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