caress synonyms

caress

n.

embrace, stroke, touch, feel*; see hug, kiss, touch 2.

caress

v.

pet, stroke, fondle, cuddle, embrace, dandle, make love to, nuzzle, toy with, handle, graze, snuggle, hug, kiss, nestle, rub, massage, brush, coddle, cosset, treat fondly, chuck under the chin, pat, clasp, paw, make out*, neck*, feel*, feel up*, canoodle*, spoon*, see also hug, kiss, love 2, touch 1.

Antonyms avoid*, withdraw*, repulse*, beat.

caress refers to a display of affection by gentle stroking or touching; fondle implies a more demonstrative show of love or affection, as by stroking or hugging, or may connote touching or stroking in making sexual advances; pet, as applied generally, implies treatment with special affection and indulgence, including gentle patting and stroking, but informally it refers to indulgence, esp. by young couples, in hugging, kissing, and amorous caresses; cuddle implies affectionate handling, as of a small child by its mother, by pressing or drawing close within the arms; dandle implies the showing of playful affection toward a child by moving him or her up and down lightly on the knee

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.