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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Recent Examples of endear
But another spring meltdown will not endear himself to new owners who expect their coaches to be the calm face of the organization.
—
Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
This slogan for Lay’s potato chips seemed endearing in mid-20th-century America, before the rise of the obesity epidemic.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Close is known for her bluntness and passion that has endeared her to fans and to her players.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
The Russian ambassador to Libya hung out in my room, as did a Russian kid named Konstantin with an unfortunate stutter and endearing affection for the American rock band Metallica.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for endear
Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
This slogan for Lay’s potato chips seemed endearing in mid-20th-century America, before the rise of the obesity epidemic.
—David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Close is known for her bluntness and passion that has endeared her to fans and to her players.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
The Russian ambassador to Libya hung out in my room, as did a Russian kid named Konstantin with an unfortunate stutter and endearing affection for the American rock band Metallica.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for endear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for endear
Verb
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The city did not take the court up on that suggestion and should be commended for adhering to its transparency policies in a case that reflects so poorly on the Chicago Police Department.—
Jamie Kalven,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
While the president commended Secret Service actions, the event still raised questions about presidential protection and security around major events like America 250.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Not every type of kale needs massaging.—
Zoe Denenberg,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.—
Anil Oza,
STAT,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the meetings were also about Döpfner ingratiating himself to the right-of-center political leaders that make up some of the UK broadsheet’s audience (and source base).—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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And what Epstein’s ability to ingratiate himself with them reveals about how science research is funded.—
Darian Woods,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president reacted to the news this week by simultaneously complimenting and insulting the outgoing executive.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Pitching coach Gus Rico was having dinner on Thursday when head coach Matt Mowry of Birmingham High complimented him on closer Aidan Martinez recording all seven of his outs on strikeouts.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Emery had been incessant in wanting shorter, faster balls from his deeper players, with Villa’s best opportunity of the afternoon stemming from brave passing in combination in the first half, coaxing Fulham onto them before John McGinn whipped a ball into the space behind.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The truest equivalency for this, around here, was Dave Checketts hiring Pat Riley, coaxing him out of retirement and bringing him to New York to coach the Knicks.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Villa Park assistant coach Ted Lawton raced to congratulate Urbanski while the Spartans’ players swarmed Noriega.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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After Biles qualified for her third Olympic Games, Owens congratulated his wife with a kiss while holding a cutout of her face.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For more than two hours on the chamber’s floor, the speaker and fellow Republican leaders cajoled holdouts on that bill and others on DHS funding and farm policy.—
Noah Robertson,
Washington Post,
29 Apr. 2026
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To speak in verse is to tease, to cajole, to seduce, all actions that suggest an excess of desire.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and in 1977, the state built an obelisk on the church’s grounds to honor Benjamin Banneker, a naturalist and mathematician who reportedly worshipped at the church during the early 1800s.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
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Takaichi notably did not worship at Yasukuni personally, instead sending her offerings through an intermediary.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Endear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endear. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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