as in caressed
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who enjoys being fondled by his loving owners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fondled
Barbara Hunter, a female producer on the show, also revealed her mistreatment, including a time she was fondled by a male staffer in an elevator.
—
Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Police reported that Zagorac touched the student’s rear, put his hand under his shirt and rubbed his back and fondled him outside his clothing after calling him up to the teacher’s desk to talk about an assignment.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuits claim Clyne groomed the children, fondled their genitals under their clothes and without gloves and masturbated in front of them, according to court documents.
—Jeremy Loudenback, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Some tools are made to be admired and fondled as much as they're made to actually be used.
—Ben Coxworth
october 10, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Police reported that Zagorac touched the student’s rear, put his hand under his shirt and rubbed his back and fondled him outside his clothing after calling him up to the teacher’s desk to talk about an assignment.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuits claim Clyne groomed the children, fondled their genitals under their clothes and without gloves and masturbated in front of them, according to court documents.
—Jeremy Loudenback, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Some tools are made to be admired and fondled as much as they're made to actually be used.
—Ben Coxworth
october 10, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fondled
Verb
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Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With the Mets taking a 2-1 lead, Rodón, clearly unhappy, appeared to curse at himself as Austin Wells patted him on the shoulder.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
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Indiana Pacers executive vice president and assistant GM Ted Wu, sitting to Winger’s left, patted Winger on the back.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Freddie Freeman stroked a two-out RBI single up the middle in the fifth inning to put the Dodgers ahead 3-0.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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Last weekend, after Petteys stroked three doubles in a victory over Creighton, the Bluejays showed her the ultimate respect, walking her four times, three intentionally, during the remainder of the series at Burrill Family Field, UConn taking two of three.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fondled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fondled. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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