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
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
Its 570 pages, written by hand, have been carefully sorted and caressed to life in a way that few modern books are.
—Joe Sills, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Esther Kang, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Brereton Diaz submits, trembling, unable to resist Schar's silken cranial caress.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 17 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caress 
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Verb
Sophia Bush’s Cass is back in the picture after that surprise kiss with Teddy, making Owen jealous by casually caressing Teddy’s arm in the elevator.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
Its 570 pages, written by hand, have been carefully sorted and caressed to life in a way that few modern books are.
—Joe Sills, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
And remember, sometimes a caress is much more powerful than a punch.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Brereton Diaz submits, trembling, unable to resist Schar's silken cranial caress.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 17 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caress
Dictionary Entries Near caress
Cite this Entry
“Caress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caress. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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