Endear
What it means
To cause someone to be regarded with growing affection.
Reach for it when describing a quality or action that wins warm liking
Her habit of crediting every helper endeared her to the workshop.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
grow on
Fits when liking develops gradually after uncertainty
Careful The idiom suggests the person was initially unappealing.
-
everyday
win over
Fits when initial hesitation turns into approval
Careful Winning someone over can concern an argument rather than personal warmth.
-
warm
Fits when appealing manner creates immediate delight
Careful Charm may be superficial or brief and need not deepen into affection.
-
professional
inspire affection
Fits when the emotional result should be stated precisely
Careful The phrase is accurate but lacks the natural economy of endear.
-
formal
ingratiate
Fits when favor is deliberately sought
Careful Ingratiate often implies manipulation and should not replace sincere endearment.
-
literary
Fits when fascination holds attention strongly
Careful Captivation can arise from performance or mystery without affection.
Opposites 4
- alienate
- repel
- antagonize
- estrange
Common phrases 3
-
endear someone to
His patience with questions helped endear him to the new trainees.
-
endear herself
Maya did not try to endear herself; her quiet fairness did it.
-
quality that endears
Curiosity is a quality that endears the guide to young visitors.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated