as in loving
feeling or showing love
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affectionate
Top marks to the dog for being adorably affectionate.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
Stephen seems to have been an affectionate husband until the end.
—Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Relatives described the unicorn-loving child as smart, affectionate and occasionally rascally.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
That single line gives audiences a clear sense of the octopus’s personality — sharp, a little judgmental and ultimately affectionate toward the flawed humans around him.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
Stephen seems to have been an affectionate husband until the end.
—Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Relatives described the unicorn-loving child as smart, affectionate and occasionally rascally.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
That single line gives audiences a clear sense of the octopus’s personality — sharp, a little judgmental and ultimately affectionate toward the flawed humans around him.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affectionate
Adjective
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In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Daniel is choosing to remember Allison as a loving individual who spent her last moments taking care of her friend in need.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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Audrey Jones described her brother — who left behind two children — as loving, kind and compassionate.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Andrew Buss takes an adoring but critical eye to Superbad.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
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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 4 Apr. 2026.
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