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
Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
His wife, Roxana Rojas, said the ruling is difficult to accept, especially for families with loved ones still detained there.
—Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The victims have since been identified by officials and loved ones as 40-year-old Lauren Bullis — an auditor for the Department of Homeland Security — 31-year-old Prianna Weathers and 48-year-old Tony Matthews, according to the Associated Press and CNN.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Relatives of several elders — adult children, a sister and family members with power of attorney — told the Herald they were never told when or where their loved one was relocated.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
My condolences to her family and loved ones.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Nobody wants to watch a loved one endure the pain, debilitation, and loss of independence that can follow a serious fall.
—Brian Frost, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Some loved the idea of adding a player of his caliber.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Kate Jackson retreated from the public eye two decades ago, and has loved her private life on her farm in Virginia.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
This is a story that Yetnikoff loved to tell, and some version of that possibly went down.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2026
Simpson doesn’t have the arm strength or size (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) of many top NFL quarterbacks, but the Rams apparently loved his technique and decision-making under pressure.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Floyd wants to be loved, and not just platonically.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Martinez describes him as a generous, kind man, who loved the Denver Nuggets.
—Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Fans loved it, which could be part of the reasoning behind this new pint launch.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
According to background information shared with press, the Aleutian Lady was equipped with cameras at the time of the incident, but it will not be shown on the show out of respect for his family and loved ones.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
His wife, Roxana Rojas, said the ruling is difficult to accept, especially for families with loved ones still detained there.
—Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The victims have since been identified by officials and loved ones as 40-year-old Lauren Bullis — an auditor for the Department of Homeland Security — 31-year-old Prianna Weathers and 48-year-old Tony Matthews, according to the Associated Press and CNN.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Relatives of several elders — adult children, a sister and family members with power of attorney — told the Herald they were never told when or where their loved one was relocated.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
My condolences to her family and loved ones.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Nobody wants to watch a loved one endure the pain, debilitation, and loss of independence that can follow a serious fall.
—Brian Frost, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
John Franklin-Myers, who loved talking, sacking and eating Uncrustables, left as a free agent to the Titans.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Some loved the idea of adding a player of his caliber.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Kate Jackson retreated from the public eye two decades ago, and has loved her private life on her farm in Virginia.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
This is a story that Yetnikoff loved to tell, and some version of that possibly went down.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2026
Simpson doesn’t have the arm strength or size (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) of many top NFL quarterbacks, but the Rams apparently loved his technique and decision-making under pressure.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Floyd wants to be loved, and not just platonically.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Martinez describes him as a generous, kind man, who loved the Denver Nuggets.
—Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Fans loved it, which could be part of the reasoning behind this new pint launch.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
Adjective
-
Zachary was a cherished friend whose kindness and spirit touched everyone who knew him.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Some cherished illusions will be shattered, including what chimpanzees eat, which is not exclusively fruit but sometimes other, weaker primates like red colobus monkeys.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mailman said that McMahon valued higher education.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of Q4, Boeing's commercial backlog was over 6,100 planes, valued at a record $567 billion.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
King George enjoyed an afternoon with his two girls while at the Royal Lodge at Windsor in this sweet photo from 1946.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Brian had enjoyed being in control of the band.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 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
-
In New York City, Kathy Griffin poses with her beloved dogs, and Nick Jonas keeps it casual in a leather jacket and hoodie.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Michael’s commercial reception may seem to show the futility of trying to litigate truth regarding someone as once-beloved as its subject.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Beyond flowers, several annuals like coleus are treasured for their showstopping foliage.—
Teresa Woodard,
Midwest Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jennifer Aniston, who was married to Theroux from 2015 to 2018, liked the post from her verified Instagram account.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
-
There have always been rumors about the British royal family, and even before the former prince Andrew was arrested for suspicion of misconduct in public office, one of the rumors about him was that no one really liked him.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loved. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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