CARRYING A TORCH (FOR) Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

carrying a torch (for)

phrase

variants or carrying the torch (for)

present participle of carry a torch (for)

as in falling for

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for She still carries a torch for her husband after over 30 years of marriage.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for carrying a torch (for)

falling for

Phrase

The tumble begins around noon on Friday, with temperatures falling for the remainder of the day on Friday.

— Ron Smiley, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Sons of the Apocalypse Deep Com Roots Former Jehovah’s Witness Becky leaves her closed religious community and travels from Spain to New York after falling for an outsider to her religion.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of falling for

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.

Browse Nearby Words

carrying

carrying a torch (for)

carrying away

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Carrying a torch (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carrying%20a%20torch%20%28for%29. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of carrying a torch (for)

phrase

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes