as in to caress
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fondle
Verb
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With her usual mastery of dynamics, Laferte starts out sweetly caressing each phrase.—
Jon Pareles,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025 -
Breaths that came as strong as fingers caressed me, travelling the length of me, beginning to tease and probe.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Standing in the pen behind the bull, Glass makes kissing noises and pats the animal’s rump for encouragement, while Scalisi stands ready, hand on the chute’s lever.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
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Two of the tougher-looking recruits behind me thought this was funny, and one patted me on the back.—
Graydon Carter,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The singer announced the news on his Instagram with a video of himself and his newborn daughter, holding his baby girl's hand and sweetly stroking her fingers.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Looking very Zen and somewhat Gwynn, the slugger stroked three singles in going to right field, center field and left field.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fondle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fondle. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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