Synonyms

endear

American

[en-deer] / ɛnˈdɪər /

verb (used with object)

to make dear, esteemed, or beloved.

He endeared himself to his friends with his gentle ways.
Obsolete. to make costly.

endear British

/ ɪnˈdɪə /

verb

(tr) to cause to be beloved or esteemed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

unendeared adjective

Etymology

Origin of endear

First recorded in 1570–80; en- ¹ + dear ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The former Philadelphia Eagles stalwart, 38, played 13 seasons at center, winning a Super Bowl and endearing himself to the fan base with a charmingly authentic persona.

From The Wall Street Journal

He played the son of a dock union leader, whose scheming charisma got him into trouble with other low-level criminals — but also endeared him to some viewers.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of this clumsiness is simply the endearing choreography of learning something new.

From Salon

It is the kind of boastful big numbers, mixed with a make-money-not-war philosophy, that has endeared him to his boss, a friend of four decades.

From The Wall Street Journal

The former Brentford manager's direct style of play, at times poorly implemented by the players, has also not endeared him to some supporters.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023