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
Beyond the film, which ended the moment they were rescued, there was another kind of survival, which was returning home and surviving, on the part of the survivors, and surviving the loss of a loved one. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 At its worst, cognitive impairment can be a horrible, life-altering disease for patient and loved ones. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 Epps portrayed Marcus Cowans, an ex-con trying to put his life back together with the support of his loved ones. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026 Select fashion and accessories are sourced from eBay, Vogue’s official vintage and pre-loved partner. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026 Hayden Panettiere was honored by loved ones in a private memorial service in Malibu. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 21 Sep. 2026 The Los Angeles Police Department offered its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of those who died during the crash. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 How eBay’s pre-loved runway works Rather than debut a brand-new collection, eBay built the Endless Runway around designer pieces already in circulation. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026 What Could Be Next Expect the pre-loved runway to become a recurring format, not a one-off spectacle. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
Her legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childline and the Silverline, and through those of us who were lucky enough to love and be loved by her. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 Terrones looked on at the black casket holding her youngest boy, the goofball who loved his family, the one who had longed for her support while she was detained. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 European painters, especially the Pre-Raphaelites, notably Dante Gabriel Rossetti, really loved the color. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 29, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 On admission, the patient usually arrives well-groomed, smelling nice, well-nourished, and — above all — deeply loved by the caregiver who has devoted a large chunk of their life to their wellbeing. — Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026 Our audio expert Tim Gideon loved the speakers' booming sound through 80W of power and adjustable EQ settings in the app. — Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026 Finally, with some urging from the people who loved him, Wayne turned his attention from editing to writing. — Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026 And how could a young man so passionate about helping others, who loved his family so deeply, do something that would hurt so profoundly and permanently? — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 So far, fans of the book have accepted it and really loved it, so that’s been really encouraging. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
  1. cherished
  2. valued
  3. adored
  4. enjoyed
  5. caressed
  6. beloved
  7. treasured
  8. liked
Adjective
  • Macy served the Placer County DA’s office from 2006 to 2020 and remained a cherished part of its extended family.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This new holiday will henceforth honor one of our finest and most cherished national characteristics—our ability to live and work together, men and women of all national origins, as one united and progressive nation.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of cherished
Verb
  • Subscribers who purchase an S2000 standalone unit or any S2000 bundle between 7 and 13 October, 2026 will receive an exclusive reward package comprising a free Car Charger, Waterproof Bag, and 4-Piece Outdoor Gift Pack, valued at A$1,098.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Also in the collection are Parisian cityscapes by Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, a horse-racing image by Edgar Degas and a boating scene by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, all valued in the tens of millions of dollars.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of valued
Verb
  • Victorians adored houseplants and incorporated them into their interiors with gleeful maximalist excess.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026
  • It was named for three Swedish princesses who adored it after their teacher, Jenny Åkerström, featured the recipe in a 1948 cookbook.
    — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of adored
Verb
  • The Ratepayer Protection Act, meant to prevent data centers from raising electricity prices, enjoyed sweeping support in the House from all but three Democrats while all but four of their colleagues in the Senate opposed it.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The sanctions legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan support, with US lawmakers and Ukrainian officials viewing it as a crucial mechanism to put more pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine before the winter.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 1 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
  • However, their beloved dog Cassie was injured and died two days later.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • These days, her feed is more professionally focused, showcasing mostly red-carpet looks and key art and the occasional photo of her beloved rescue dog, Billie.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 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
  • The need to be liked makes brands write polished statements aimed at everyone watching while the person actually affected waits.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Leo appeals to loftier questions about life Unlike Francis, who liked to travel to small Catholic communities far from Rome, Leo has been keen to emphasize and reawaken Europe’s Christian roots.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 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 2 Oct. 2026.

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