as in loving
feeling or showing love
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
As the first book in Quinn’s ambitious, interconnected series, The Duke and I is tasked with introducing society matron Violet Bridgerton and her eight affectionate, squabbling children, as well as their many friends (and frenemies) in 1800s British high society.
—
Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026
Her obituary describes her as an affectionate mother and grandmother who lived in Concord for 36 years and graduated from Carondelet High School before getting a job at her father’s transportation company.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Still, her speech was affectionate and on point.
—Thomas Koetting, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Yet despite being the boss at work, the 52-year-old mother and stepmother of nine children could also be funny and affectionate with family.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026
Her obituary describes her as an affectionate mother and grandmother who lived in Concord for 36 years and graduated from Carondelet High School before getting a job at her father’s transportation company.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Still, her speech was affectionate and on point.
—Thomas Koetting, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Yet despite being the boss at work, the 52-year-old mother and stepmother of nine children could also be funny and affectionate with family.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
Adjective
-
At a time of widespread fear and distrust in the United States, Bad Bunny offered a loving and optimistic vision of the American experience during his halftime show at Sunday’s Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings issued an emotional plea on Instagram for their mom's return, citing her spunk, her loving personality and her vulnerability.—
Helen Rummel,
AZCentral.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Andrew Buss takes an adoring but critical eye to Superbad.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affectionate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
