KISSING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

kissing

verb

present participle of kiss

as in cuddling

to touch one another with the lips as a sign of love it's traditional for couples to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in brushing

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing a gentle breeze kissing the water's surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of kissing And at Mugler, the mood was set before the first look appeared, with screens beaming erotic footage that included mating snails, sweaty skin, a woman’s tongue and two people kissing. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 Across Argentina, fans who grew up watching Messi as their parents watched Maradona now carry him on their skin, in tattoos of him kissing the World Cup trophy. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 Trinity managed to capture the proposal moment, and the happy couple hugging and kissing afterward. — Kati Weis, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 That’s because the acting Oscar races are really more akin to a political campaign that involves millions of dollars, months of meet-and-greets and kissing metaphorical babies, and dozens of screenings and press appearances. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026 They were photographed holding hands and kissing during the trip. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Ledger jumped, but then immediately turned and cupped Szubanski’s face before kissing her. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026 Columnist Amy Kaufman wrote about how watching affectionate moments between the couple, such as a clip of them kissing, can trigger intense reactions among Swifties. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Sep. 2026 Reinhart and Martin’s romance dates back to April 2023, when they were first spotted kissing outside LAX Airport in photos obtained by Page Six. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kissing

Verb

There’s also a large firepit for cuddling up under the stars with a cocktail or two.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
Kye and the girl start to meet once or twice a week in the girl’s apartment, watching TV and cuddling and getting takeout.

— S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of cuddling

Verb

In July, Powell also shared a sweet photo of himself and Randolph smooching in a Fourth of July photo dump.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
The vinyl edition comes with some special gatefold artwork that appears to show Winter smooching Carnegie Hall’s namesake and builder, Andrew Carnegie.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of smooching

Verb

Police also connected him to four other subsequent incidents of forcible touching in the Bronx.

— Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
It is said that touching the polished engravings of the event placed at the pedestal of the Nepomuk statue will bring luck and ensure a return to Prague.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of touching

Verb

After the game, where Wilson dominated yet again, leading all scorers with 36 points, along with 10 rebounds, Wilson was seen hugging team owner Mark Davis, as well as friends, and her mother, Eva Rakes Wilson.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Di Felice’s re-edition of the iconic vinyl mini skirts and jackets was an instant success, while his figure-hugging clubwear and boot-cut jeans cemented his reputation for a bold, distinctive style.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026