ENDEAR Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

endear

verb

Definition of endear

as in to commend

to cause (someone) to be loved or admired by (someone or something) They endeared themselves to the whole town.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of endear Balogun endeared himself to teammates and fans by maintaining a wide-eyed curiosity about America. — Sean Gregory, Time, 30 Sep. 2026 Within a few plays, the rookie running back endeared himself to Payton and to Broncos’ fans. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026 So even if a veteran baseball broadcaster is merely pretty good in those aspects, the familiarity, the comfort factor, the association with their team, is enough to endear that broadcaster to his listeners. — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026 After a 7-6 debut season as the Volunteers head coach in 2009, Kiffin endeared himself to the Tennessee fan base by accusing former Florida coach Urban Meyer of cheating during a recruiting battle. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for endear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for endear

Verb

Fine art’s real estate crisis and its wholesale entrenchment in money laundering perhaps commend the political possibilities of unfine modes?

— Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
With very few exceptions, roses were offered to commend male medieval rulers, often ones who had militarily defended Catholicism.

— Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of commend

Verb

Apply a thin layer of Dijon mustard with your hands, massaging it into the meat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
The 2027 Silverado gets a broader, more muscular face, a new grille and redesigned LED lighting, while the bodywork has been massaged to make the truck look even more substantial.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of massage

Verb

Typically, only a low-value male resorts to this behavior, turning to foot-licking as the easiest way to ingratiate himself with women.

— Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Great opportunity for Patterson here, get ‘em at the Update desk — a tactic Bill Murray famously tried in an attempt to ingratiate himself after a bumpy start as a cast member.

— Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of ingratiate

Verb

And the owners’ taste, in this case, is pleasant and broadly appealing, complimenting the home’s high ceilings and historic features.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 5 Oct. 2026
James Johnson gifted him his own brand-new Jordans when Powell complimented them during a pre-draft workout.

— Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of compliment

Verb

Brown said a wild Knicks fan tailed him home to congratulate him on winning the Finals during a bike ride over the offseason.

— Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Verb

But the Marlins plan to be moderately active in free agency — regardless of whether the owners succeed in cajoling the players to accept a salary cap and salary floor in what are expected to be contentious labor negotiations.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026
But Ridgeway pushes on, trying various means — flattery, insults, amateur psychology — to cajole her into delivering a new Ripley book.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of cajole

Verb

The government characterized Lemon as part of the demonstration, arguing his actions at a church crossed the line from a reporting to a protesting role, violating the First Amendment right to worship and freedom of religion.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
During the days leading up to Vijayadashami, the goddess Durga is worshipped in her various forms as Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of worship

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endear

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“Endear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endear. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of endear

verb

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