affectionate

adjective

ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce affectionate (audio)
Definition of affectionatenext
as in loving
feeling or showing love an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 affectionate Spelling has also been openly affectionate about her decades-long bond with Green. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 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 With its the warm glow of nostalgia, Sag Harbor revealed his most affectionate tone to date. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
  1. loving
  2. adoring
Adjective
  • But the role of the group chat is, just as often, to subject one another to a loving humbling.
    — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Italian mother who is a loving mother, a mother hen who cooks well.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of loving
Adjective
  • Mom and daughter share adoring glances at an event to celebrate International Women's Day in London.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The Patriots’ pass coverage without Christian Gonzalez, their atrocious inside linebacker play and roller-coaster special teams, which give any adoring fan a heart attack at a moment’s notice.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of adoring

Browse Nearby Words

affection
affectionate
affections
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Cite this Entry

“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectionate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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