dotes on

VERB

lavish affection on

Synonyms

WEAK

admire adore be fond of be infatuated with be sweet on cherish enjoy fancy hold dear idolize like love pet prize treasure worship

Antonyms

WEAK

ignore neglect

VERB

lavish

Synonyms

WEAK

admire adore cherish dote upon enjoy fancy hold dear idolize like love pet prize treasure worship

Antonyms

WEAK

brush aside disregard ignore neglect

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 more George dotes on her, the more she tries to squirm free from the prison that has been prepared for her.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Graves, who travels with his wife and dotes on his grandchildren, says he had a very successful career and has a very full life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 4, 2025

But Shaimaa dotes on Zeina, calling her “princess,” hiding her tears - and her fears for the future - from her.

From BBC • Sep. 30, 2024

As Mina gets increasingly sick, her body withering away, her husband dotes on her: He washes her hair, helps her change, brings the sweetness of a fruit to her lips.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 7, 2023

“It would be a grand thing for one of those girls, wouldn’t it? Sallie says they are very intimate now, and the old man quite dotes on them.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott