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
Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
For those with loved ones still in Iran, this pause doesn't bring them any peace.
—Ubah Ali
april 7, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Friends and loved ones shared tributes on social media, describing the loss as devastating.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Earlier that same year, Jones was ordered to pay $965 million to eight families who lost loved ones in the attack as well as an FBI agent who was on the scene.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Older adults are invited to attend the Senior Fair and bring friends and loved ones.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Guthrie wore a sunny yellow dress, reminiscent of the yellow flowers and ribbons placed by loved ones at her mother’s home — symbols of hope for a missing person.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Apple desserts are always a hit in the cool weather, and these turnovers with an easy glaze are the perfect treat to make for family and loved ones during the fall season.
—Anna Price Olson, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026
Jennifer Garner celebrated Easter with her loved ones, including her mom, Patricia.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Known and loved for both its fashion and food offerings, Selfridges is a full-service department store in the heart of London.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
The authority on gardening in the South loved doing live shows and meeting his fans.
—Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Jaimee Seitz loved to make crafts for her daughter, Audree Heine.
—Meena Duerson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Sweeney loved having Bove in the clubhouse.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026
Princess Beatrice has also worn the brand loved by her sister Eugenie and Meghan Markle.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
Cannes loved it — a nine-minute standing ovation.
—Diaa Hadid, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
This tried-and-true appetizer requires just 10 minutes of hands-on time and is sure to be loved by guests of all ages.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Nastiness can be framed as a function of mourning a loved one, as with Dorinda’s rants on RHONY; or despair over personal crises, as with RHOC star Shannon Beador’s DUI and car crash.
—Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
For those with loved ones still in Iran, this pause doesn't bring them any peace.
—Ubah Ali
april 7, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Friends and loved ones shared tributes on social media, describing the loss as devastating.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Earlier that same year, Jones was ordered to pay $965 million to eight families who lost loved ones in the attack as well as an FBI agent who was on the scene.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Older adults are invited to attend the Senior Fair and bring friends and loved ones.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Guthrie wore a sunny yellow dress, reminiscent of the yellow flowers and ribbons placed by loved ones at her mother’s home — symbols of hope for a missing person.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Apple desserts are always a hit in the cool weather, and these turnovers with an easy glaze are the perfect treat to make for family and loved ones during the fall season.
—Anna Price Olson, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026
Jennifer Garner celebrated Easter with her loved ones, including her mom, Patricia.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
So the fact that people have loved it and people are still watching is really wonderful.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Known and loved for both its fashion and food offerings, Selfridges is a full-service department store in the heart of London.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
The authority on gardening in the South loved doing live shows and meeting his fans.
—Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Jaimee Seitz loved to make crafts for her daughter, Audree Heine.
—Meena Duerson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Sweeney loved having Bove in the clubhouse.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026
Princess Beatrice has also worn the brand loved by her sister Eugenie and Meghan Markle.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
Cannes loved it — a nine-minute standing ovation.
—Diaa Hadid, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
This tried-and-true appetizer requires just 10 minutes of hands-on time and is sure to be loved by guests of all ages.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loved
Adjective
-
Donating formalwear helps others create cherished memories while freeing up space in your closet for new beginnings.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This evocative tale explores the uncertainty of leaving home, even if departing means rejoining a cherished relationship.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stephanie Christian said choosing to cut this program signaled to the state’s education workforce that teachers are not valued.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Politicians in Massachusetts are prohibited from accepting gifts valued at $50 or more given to influence their official actions or because of their official position.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Although Cattlemen’s was founded to satisfy its namesake population, it’s adored by Oklahomans of all kinds—not to mention visitors from across the country, including musicians, actors, and even Presidents.—
Katie Akin,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
-
While Hollywood vampires—especially those in the Twilight series—have a devoted fan base, real-life bloodsuckers aren’t so adored.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From his Palm Beach and New York mansions and his luxurious apartment in Paris, Epstein enjoyed a remarkable level of access to sensitive information like the outcomes of political meetings and the itineraries of Gulf royals.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
When weather permits, meals can be enjoyed under the pergola in the garden.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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
-
Author Jason Klamm tackles a key question about the beloved 1986 John Hughes film.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In late 2024, Scheffler auctioned off his beloved 2012 GMC Yukon XL—the car his father gave him after college—through Heritage Auctions, with all proceeds benefiting Triumph Over Kid Cancer.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It'll always be studied, stared at, written about and treasured.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Bernthal may have started as Moss-Bachrach's unknown understudy, but now, the playing fields are level — and it's certainly not lost on either star that reaching such a milestone in one's career with one of their closest friends is something to be treasured.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lund tends to be pretty well-liked around the sport for his pro-style game.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
That's why all those strangers liked me so much.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loved. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
