beloved 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈləvd How to pronounce beloved (audio)
Definition of belovednext
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention her beloved cat sleeps in its own little bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

beloved

2 of 2

noun

as in darling
a person with whom one is in love searching for some incredibly romantic spot in which to ask his beloved to marry him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 beloved
Adjective
Now & Then A beloved sleepover movie and cult classic, Now & Then is about a group of friends who get together as adults after many years apart to reflect on the summer that changed their lives. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026 For the cover of the September 7, 2026, issue, the artist Nicole Rifkin—a musician herself—pays homage to one of America’s most beloved icons, Dolly Parton, who died on August 25th, at the age of eighty. — Françoise Mouly, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
While wondering if his beloved will ever return, Jesse also grapples with grief, paranoia and family drama. — Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 Miller also strategically employs the Pietà in his Confederate Women’s Monument, turning to Michelangelo’s later Depositional group from the Pietà Bandini, in which the dead Christ is not draped on Mary’s lap and knees but undulates across the bodies of his earthbound beloveds. — Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beloved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beloved
  1. loved
  2. darling
  3. cherished
  4. sweetheart
  5. favorite
  6. dear
  7. precious
  8. lover
Adjective
  • After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • No details about the funeral service have yet been released, though TMZ reported that her family is planning a small ceremony in Nashville for her closest family and loved ones.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of loved
Noun
  • The company adds some 30 to 60 movies to its catalog annually, most of them lost gems of world cinema, festival-circuit darlings, or old Hollywood hits.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Small Prophets follows Quigley as the eccentric Michael Sleep (Quigley), an ordinary man who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has worked in a DIY store, while visiting his elderly dad Brian (Palin) and hoping for Clea to return.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • The cherished cult classic from 1985 is an ideal showcase for Curry’s impeccable physical humor and timing.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With the gym restored, Gallatin Shalom Zone plans to double enrollment in its youth programs and introduce new sports leagues to keep children active and engaged year-round, while also preserving a cherished local landmark.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cherished
Noun
  • Somewhere in the city is his former high school sweetheart, Dallas Bryan (Agudong), who is building her new career, chasing her dreams, and not looking back.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • America’s sweetheart Dolly Parton sadly died on Tuesday, August 25, at age 80.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Adjective
  • My favorite scare must have been accomplished with the person-doubling technology from The Prestige.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • It's positioned by the infinity pool and our favorite slice of sand, where beanbag loungers squat in front of a cocktail bar and a cinema-sized projector on movie nights.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of favorite
Noun
  • Roberts hopes the new restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner and features a full bar specializing in classic Southern cocktails and bellinis, will give guests a taste of the flavors and comfort he’s held dear for decades.
    — Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Early on, Leonardo Spinazzola made a mistake similar to the one Billy Gilmour committed last week, one that cost Napoli dear against Torino.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of dear
Adjective
  • Legends like this one only serve to enhance the value of certain masterpieces crafted from diamonds and precious stones.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But even more than that, consumers want to trust in organizations while discretionary spending is more precious amid inflation, stagnant wages, and a higher cost of living.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of precious
Noun
  • Her daughter, who is an animal lover, has learned about marine creatures by scuba diving and going on submarine rides on their trips.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Overnight, the foundation became a staple among makeup artists and beauty lovers worldwide, thanks to its second-skin finish and lit-from-within glow.
    — Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lover

Browse Nearby Words

belongs
beloved
beloveds
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Cite this Entry

“Beloved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beloved. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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