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
Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 18 May 2025
The monologue touches Ellie, who caresses her girlfriend’s face.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 May 2025
Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Gentle affectionate gestures usually are the prelude to intimacy, like a hand on your back, a caress on the cheek or even just cuddling in bed.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for caress
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Verb
The oversized and plush applicator caresses every curve of your smile for a smooth, high-shine finish, minus the stickiness.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 18 May 2025
The monologue touches Ellie, who caresses her girlfriend’s face.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 May 2025
Noun
These strangely shaped cells are the reason why the experience of touch is so rich and multifaceted — why a buzzing cell phone feels different from a warm breeze or a lover’s caress, from raindrops or a mother’s kiss.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Gentle affectionate gestures usually are the prelude to intimacy, like a hand on your back, a caress on the cheek or even just cuddling in bed.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for caress
Cite this Entry
“Caress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caress. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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