as in caressed
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who enjoys being fondled by his loving owners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fondled
Barbara Hunter, a female producer on the show, also revealed her mistreatment, including a time she was fondled by a male staffer in an elevator.
—
Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Police reported that Zagorac touched the student’s rear, put his hand under his shirt and rubbed his back and fondled him outside his clothing after calling him up to the teacher’s desk to talk about an assignment.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuits claim Clyne groomed the children, fondled their genitals under their clothes and without gloves and masturbated in front of them, according to court documents.
—Jeremy Loudenback, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Some tools are made to be admired and fondled as much as they're made to actually be used.
—Ben Coxworth
october 10, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Police reported that Zagorac touched the student’s rear, put his hand under his shirt and rubbed his back and fondled him outside his clothing after calling him up to the teacher’s desk to talk about an assignment.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuits claim Clyne groomed the children, fondled their genitals under their clothes and without gloves and masturbated in front of them, according to court documents.
—Jeremy Loudenback, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Some tools are made to be admired and fondled as much as they're made to actually be used.
—Ben Coxworth
october 10, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fondled
Verb
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Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Next to Hofferth, Adam Johnson patted a projector.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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Wembanyama tumbled to the court and remained down for a minute while George patted him on the backside apologetically.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In her first varsity at-bat the next day against Lincoln-Way Central, Krauchun stroked a single up the middle.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
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Ferrer then went back to the sinker, placed the 98 mph pitch on the outside edge of the plate and Merrill stroked it to left, clearing the bases for a walk-off win in front the remnants of a sellout crowd of 46,095.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fondled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fondled. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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