KISSING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

kissing

verb

present participle of kiss

as in cuddling

to touch one another with the lips as a sign of love it's traditional for couples to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in brushing

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing a gentle breeze kissing the water's surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 kissing Cameras captured them kissing and hugging on the field after the game. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 When the Chiefs won, the Grammy winner joined Kelce on the field, kissing and hugging him. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Nikolau and Beerkus were seen kissing after leaving court on July 2. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Aceh’s Sharia court ordered the two people to be whipped with a rattan cane 21 times each for kissing without being married. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 Rock and Henault first sparked romance rumors after they were spotted kissing at a park in New York City on March 31. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 2 July 2026 In photos published by Page Six on June 15, Alwyn and Pidgeon were seen kissing in Brooklyn. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 2 July 2026 Joe Biden famously trotted across the road shaking hands and kissing babies during Pittsburgh’s Labor Day parade in 2015. — Salena Zito, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 Not the family stuff, like Natalie’s spontaneous nipple piercing after making out with Cady’s maybe-daughter, Nevaeh (Malia Pyles), who later murders her own mother after kissing her, for way too long, on the mouth. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kissing

Verb

Video shows Neil flopping his blubbery body around on the street, destroying fences and cuddling with traffic cones.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026
The proud mom shared pictures of her and Green, 29, cuddling their little one in the hospital room, concealing the newborn's face in the snaps.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of cuddling

Verb

Temasek invested in Luckin only after the company’s legal and governance issues were resolved, Chia said, brushing off questions about a relisting, saying Luckin’s priority should be building a durable business first.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
This includes washing hands, brushing teeth, and drinking, according to the city.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Definition of brushing

Verb

The late-night host has been on a hilarious smooching spree during his second-to-last week on the air, kissing several guests in recent days.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The new couple was most recently spotted smooching and holding hands in Los Angeles' Los Feliz neighborhood on Friday, April 3, and getting coffees on Sunday, April 5.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of smooching

Verb

Everything the man is touching nowadays turns into gold for him and rot for the rest of us, a curse any smart person would avoid.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Consistent cash flow gives you the liquidity to pivot, reinvest in down-market opportunities or simply fund your current lifestyle without touching your principal.

— Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of touching

Verb

Gomez's outfit, styled by Erin Walsh, featured a figure-hugging silhouette with a scoop neckline and a fringe hem.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of hugging

Verb

Both this percale comforter and linen quilt would be perfect for staying cozy yet cool in warm weather, while the snowflake sheet set will add some wintry whimsy that kids will love snuggling into.

— Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026
For the next few days, while my toddler felt miserable, he and I were mostly holed up in the room snuggling while the rest of my family got sun-kissed at the beach with their cousins.

— Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 18 June 2026