as in pats
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
gently caressed her hair
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of caresses
Also starring Jack Palance and Fritz Lang, the behind-the-scenes drama about the making of a movie begins with Bardot lying nude on a bed as her husband (Michel Piccoli) caresses and praises her body.
—
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Dec. 2025
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.
—James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caresses
Verb
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The clip, shared by Sarah Ingle (@saraheingle), a dedicated dog fosterer, shows seven-month-old Cookie Crisps nestled in her arms while Ingle gently pats her bottom.—
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As a matter of fact, pats on the back are probably very few and far between.—
Verb
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Research shows the risk of stroke also rises this time of year, and strokes present differently than heart attacks.—
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In the video, the cat eventually curls up in a ball and continues purring as Li strokes her head.—
Cite this Entry
“Caresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caresses. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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