as in loving
feeling or showing love
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
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Recent Examples of affectionate
At one point, the pair stopped to face each other as Garfield stroked Augustus while giving an affectionate look at Barbaro.
—
Escher Walcott, People.com, 27 May 2025
Gentle affectionate gestures usually are the prelude to intimacy, like a hand on your back, a caress on the cheek or even just cuddling in bed.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
While a hard, unblinking stare with stiff posture can signal aggression or resource guarding—especially over treats or toys—gentle, affectionate staring often expresses love.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Italian photographer Nicola Fioravanti was the overall winner in the professional division for his affectionate look at Morocco, his partner's birthplace.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Escher Walcott, People.com, 27 May 2025
Gentle affectionate gestures usually are the prelude to intimacy, like a hand on your back, a caress on the cheek or even just cuddling in bed.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
While a hard, unblinking stare with stiff posture can signal aggression or resource guarding—especially over treats or toys—gentle, affectionate staring often expresses love.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Italian photographer Nicola Fioravanti was the overall winner in the professional division for his affectionate look at Morocco, his partner's birthplace.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
Adjective
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This is a group of people who have welcomed her in like family and are very loving to Tina and kind to her.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
12 June 2025
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Yo La Tengo’s 1997 feedback-guitar version is one of the most loving Beach Boys tributes.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Chicharito also benefitted from his market placement in LA, in his case mainly due to the proximity to an adoring Mexican fanbase throughout Southern California.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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In some cases, like his calls to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, Mr. Trump has promised changes that many of his most adoring fans in Europe have stopped well short of.—
Jim Tankersley,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectionate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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