loving 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlə-viŋ How to pronounce loving (audio)
Definition of lovingnext
1
as in affectionate
feeling or showing love they were a loving family, supporting each other when times were bad

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in careful
taking, showing, or involving great care and effort the homemade costume clearly showed the loving work that had gone into it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

loving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of love
1
as in valuing
to hold dear patriots who loved their country well enough to die for it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adoring
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 enjoying
to take pleasure in I love playing Frisbee in the summer rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in caressing
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 loving
Adjective
That Billy is ultimately heterosexual, with a loving girlfriend nonetheless, doesn’t defeat the point being made. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 July 2026 The very loving help and information that Spirit provides is called the Christ. — Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
Verb
Lemon Lavender’s skincare is made in Korea featuring collagen, antioxidants and skin-loving formulas that help support your skin barrier, reduce the look of fine lines and boost overall glow. — ABC News, 25 July 2026 Fox News did a feature story on international World Cup fans loving their time in KC; ditto for a newspaper in Singapore. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for loving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loving
  1. affectionate
  2. careful
  3. valuing
  4. adoring
  5. enjoying
  6. caressing
  7. meticulous
  8. appreciating
Adjective
  • The Shards is a series made for (and probably by) people who can’t always distinguish among kitsch, camp, ironic detachment and affectionate nostalgia, and, frankly, don’t care.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
  • William Frawley and Vivian Vance formed the perfect counterpart to Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball — and their affectionate animosity became a television legend all its own.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026
Definition of affectionate
Adjective
  • South Korea’s finance minister has apologized for launching the riskier products without careful consideration.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Regulators have been careful to note that the action targets concentrated and synthetic products, not natural leaf containing trace amounts.
    — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of careful
Verb
  • Chores are delegated, valuing time over cost, even for non-work activities.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Fernandez’s future is still uncertain at the club, with Chelsea leaving him off the ‘not for sale’ list this summer and valuing the 25-year-old at £120million ($161m).
    — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of valuing
Verb
  • During his rally in Milford, northwest of Detroit, the crowd was adoring.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • Despite fans of the Gap brand adoring the original Happy Stripe sweater design, many found this new iteration to be lackluster in comparison.
    — Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of adoring
Verb
  • For the grand finale of her tropical celebration, the Academy Award-winning actress went braless in a head-turning satin slip dress while enjoying the sunset on the sand.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The focus is not only on smaller ships, but also on the ease of unpacking once and visiting multiple destinations, while enjoying the restaurants, spa, service, and design found at a luxury resort.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoying
Verb
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • Pulling out the rocket launcher Mac had bought him on the dark web, Dennis was genuinely overcome, caressing his bucket-list war weapon in stunned gratitude, while Mac beamed in what, on any other show, would be heartwarming friendship.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of caressing
Adjective
  • The meticulous renovation of Gresham Palace, which opened as a Four Seasons in 2006, set the bar high for the numerous other restoration jobs currently underway.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Its longevity stems from Stone's focus on a supportive team culture, direct sourcing from regenerative farms, and meticulous waste management to preserve tight margins.
    — Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of meticulous
Verb
  • In fact, the country’s famous pura vida philosophy encourages experiencing wellness at a slower pace and appreciating the present, according to Simon Jones, the CEO of international tour company Trafalgar.
    — Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The younger person will have a harder time appreciating what Ron Washington has done, and does, just to go back to the ballpark.
    — Mac Engel August 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of appreciating

Browse Nearby Words

lovey-doveyness
loving
lovingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loving. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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