Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause to be loved or liked: To make someone or something attractive, cherished, or held in affection by another person or persons.
   • To make dear or precious: To inspire feelings of fondness, tenderness, or affection.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • Her kindness endeared her to the entire community. (Her kind actions caused the community to love her.)
  • The puppy's playful antics endeared him to his new family. (The puppy's playful behavior made him beloved by his family.)
  • He has a way of endearing himself to strangers with his genuine smile. (He has a method of making strangers like him.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Reflexive Construction ("endear oneself to"): This is a very common usage, where the subject performs actions that cause others to feel affection for them.
  • The politician tried to endear himself to voters by visiting local businesses.
• Often Used in Passive Constructions: Describing the state of being loved or cherished as a result.
  • She was endeared to all who knew her for her generous spirit.

Variants and Related Words

• Endearing (Adjective): Inspiring affection or warmth.
  • He has an endearing habit of humming while he works.
• Endearment (Noun): A word or phrase expressing love or affection.
  • "Sweetheart" is a common term of endearment.

Synonyms

• Charm: To delight or attract greatly.
• Ingratiate: To bring oneself into favor with someone by deliberate effort (often used with "oneself," similar to "endear" but can have a more calculated nuance).
• Attract: To draw by appealing to the emotions or senses.

Antonyms

• Alienate: To cause someone to feel isolated or estranged.
• Repel: To cause a feeling of distaste or aversion.

Notes on Usage

• The verb "endear" almost always implies a positive emotional result (affection, fondness). It describes the of the feeling, not the feeling itself.
• It is typically followed by a prepositional phrase starting with "to" (e.g., ). The direct object is the person/thing becoming loved, and the object of "to" is the person/people feeling the affection.

Verb

1. make attractive or lovable
   • This behavior endeared her to me