as in loving
feeling or showing love
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affectionate
Despite a mentality forged by military service, her abuelo is kind and affectionate, while her straight-shooting abuela gives her the explanation she’s long been denied for her mother’s abandonment, without sugar-coating it.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Though not everyone will jump on board, aficionados of the panoply of Nightmare on Halloween the 13th knock-offs – and the diminishing returns that followed – will know the references and get the affectionate, tongue-in-cheek humor.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Appearing to take Will Ferrell’s affectionate lampooning The Story of Fire Saga as a how-to guide, Finland has thrown in everything but the kitchen sink to bring the trophy home for the first time since Lordi in 2006.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
Iman was there in a fantastical sculptural jacket, along with the White Lotus couple Meghann Fahy and Leo Woodall, who were affectionate throughout the night.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Though not everyone will jump on board, aficionados of the panoply of Nightmare on Halloween the 13th knock-offs – and the diminishing returns that followed – will know the references and get the affectionate, tongue-in-cheek humor.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Appearing to take Will Ferrell’s affectionate lampooning The Story of Fire Saga as a how-to guide, Finland has thrown in everything but the kitchen sink to bring the trophy home for the first time since Lordi in 2006.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
Iman was there in a fantastical sculptural jacket, along with the White Lotus couple Meghann Fahy and Leo Woodall, who were affectionate throughout the night.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
Adjective
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As such, a loving relationship will demand awareness that, sometimes, not every truth needs to be delivered in its rawest form.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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From a young age, we're taught to greet people, regardless of their age, and even compliment them, so everyone is very accepting and loving.—
Zama Magudulela,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Mom and daughter share adoring glances at an event to celebrate International Women's Day in London.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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But a falling out with former owner Glen Taylor kept him from returning to his ‘Sota to give adoring fans another chance to thank him for 14 seasons with No. 21 on his back and Minnesota in his heart.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectionate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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