caressed; caressing; caresses
1
: to treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness : cherish
the regiment was fed and caressed at station after station—
Stephen Crane
Stephen Crane2
a
: to touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
She caressed the baby's cheek.
b
: to touch or affect as if with a caress
echoes that caress the ear
caresser
noun
1
: an act or expression of kindness or affection : endearment
when the gifts and caresses of mankind shall recompense the toils of study—Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson2
a
: a light stroking, rubbing, or patting
a gentle caress of her shoulder
b
: kiss
She gave him a parting caress.
caressively
adverb
Examples of caress in a Sentence
Verb
She caressed the baby's cheek.
A warm breeze caressed her face.
Noun
She gave the baby's cheek a gentle caress.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
Sultry music is played to set the tone while staff gently introduces attendees to pleasurable sensations—tracing soft touches along their thighs, caressing their décolleté with silky fur, or running fingers through their hair, as well as decorating them with flowers and crystals.
—Aubree Nichols, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Frances MacDougall, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025
Loving caresses, shared laughing and group singing release a flood of native feel-good opioids.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caress
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Verb
On Valentines Day, Rihanna sat with Mayers during another break, gently caressing his cheek while the couple sat on a courtroom bench, surrounded by beefy security guards.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
Sultry music is played to set the tone while staff gently introduces attendees to pleasurable sensations—tracing soft touches along their thighs, caressing their décolleté with silky fur, or running fingers through their hair, as well as decorating them with flowers and crystals.
—Aubree Nichols, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
In the garden, there are benches ideal for contemplation amid the hum of pollinators and the caress of soft breezes.
—Frances MacDougall, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025
Loving caresses, shared laughing and group singing release a flood of native feel-good opioids.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caress
Cite this Entry
“Caress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caress. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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