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
Liz Shulman, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
It’s chosen to mark a milestone, celebrate an achievement, or share a meaningful experience with friends and loved ones.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones.
—Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 17 June 2026
The documentary will feature interviews from people in the music industry and his loved ones.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Should the Giants have nights to recognize those who've lost loved ones?
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Families across the island were searching for loved ones, waiting for answers, and grieving alongside a community hundreds of miles away.
—Jennifer Marcial Ocasio, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Getting time to grieve Only five states – California, Illinois, Oregon, Maryland and Washington – have laws mandating leave when a loved one dies.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 14 June 2026
The collection of autobiographical monologues explores the hardships and unexpected humor of caring for loved ones across every stage of life.
—Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2026
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Libertyville coach Matt Thompson loved Buenik’s command, which was often missing this season.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
What started as a space fix became, Daly says, the thing guests loved most, and now every property has it.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The pressure cooker of veterinary school, combined with my disconnection from nature and from the people who loved me and knew me best, left me increasingly isolated, lonely and depleted.
—Brad Ryan, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Ayscue loved canoeing and country music.
—Diamy Wang, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
The traditional vuvuzela has been loved by some fans and despised by others.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Considered one of Birkenstock’s most iconic styles, the Arizona sandals have been loved by travelers since 1973.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
People like Liz Rose, Troy Verges, Hillary Lindsey, Robert Ellis Orrall, Angelo [Petraglia], the Warren Brothers and the late but very loved Brett James.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 12 June 2026
Adjective
How can there be so much life bursting around you when your loved one has died?
—Liz Shulman, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
It’s chosen to mark a milestone, celebrate an achievement, or share a meaningful experience with friends and loved ones.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones.
—Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 17 June 2026
The documentary will feature interviews from people in the music industry and his loved ones.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Should the Giants have nights to recognize those who've lost loved ones?
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Families across the island were searching for loved ones, waiting for answers, and grieving alongside a community hundreds of miles away.
—Jennifer Marcial Ocasio, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Getting time to grieve Only five states – California, Illinois, Oregon, Maryland and Washington – have laws mandating leave when a loved one dies.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 14 June 2026
The collection of autobiographical monologues explores the hardships and unexpected humor of caring for loved ones across every stage of life.
—Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2026
Verb
Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Libertyville coach Matt Thompson loved Buenik’s command, which was often missing this season.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
What started as a space fix became, Daly says, the thing guests loved most, and now every property has it.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The pressure cooker of veterinary school, combined with my disconnection from nature and from the people who loved me and knew me best, left me increasingly isolated, lonely and depleted.
—Brad Ryan, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Ayscue loved canoeing and country music.
—Diamy Wang, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
The traditional vuvuzela has been loved by some fans and despised by others.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Considered one of Birkenstock’s most iconic styles, the Arizona sandals have been loved by travelers since 1973.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
People like Liz Rose, Troy Verges, Hillary Lindsey, Robert Ellis Orrall, Angelo [Petraglia], the Warren Brothers and the late but very loved Brett James.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
Adjective
-
This jewelry is purpose-made for the creation of cherished memories.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Monroe University said McCleod was a cherished member of its basketball team.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Those qualities have not brought success in brief spells as head coach of Derby, Swansea, Reading or Belgian club Cercle Brugge, but Clement’s work alongside him has been highly valued at Chelsea, PSG, Madrid and Bayern Munich.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
-
The contract, valued at nearly €700 million, represents not only the largest order ever secured by Vard, a subsidiary of Italy's Fincantieri Group, but also the largest vessel contract of its kind awarded to any Norwegian shipyard.—
Dea Jusufi,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Let the horses and their drivers make New York a place where carriage rides are adored, like so many other places.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
-
Above all, though, Melissa and Mark Hortman were parents who adored their children.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Colorado Avalanche executive Joe Sakic followed a similar path, while others who enjoyed long on-ice careers and went on to win Cups as coaches like Quenneville and Randy Carlyle didn’t have nearly as strong of HHOF cases as players as Brind’Amour does.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
This is exactly what to expect here—a complete connection with Iceland’s toughest terrain, best enjoyed during the warmer months between May and September.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 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
-
The vampire at the center of Rice’s beloved novels has flirted with music before.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Keeping hope alive With their voices loud and signs up high, BCSB leaders, parents, and supporters rallied Thursday in an effort to keep their beloved school open.—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The storied tree is treasured not only for its age, stature and beauty, but for connections to the legend of Robin Hood, said to have hidden along with his band of outlaws inside the trunk to escape the Sheriff of Nottingham.—
Karina Zaiets,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
Books represent truth, facts, analysis, all values that should be treasured and embraced but are now under assault in some quarters.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
While her daughter and her friends were playing, Kerry noticed a snake in her garden and, knowing her brother liked animals and lived nearby, sought out his help.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Dane Cordes was an adrenaline junky and, according to those who knew him, was someone who liked fast cars, fast bikes, water sports and skydiving.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loved. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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