fondling
Stroking with affection
Fondling is touching or stroking in an affectionate or sexual way.
The word often appears in contexts of inappropriate or unwanted contact: He was charged with fondling a minor.
In innocent use, it suggests gentle, lingering touch: She sat fondling the cat in her lap.
A fondling is also an archaic term for a person treated with excessive affection.
Touching with affection
- strokingRubbing softly, repeatedly
- cuddlingAffectionate close holding
- snugglingNestling affectionately against another
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
gentleness · warmth · embrace · touch · intimacy · closeness · bonding · endearment
Gentle loving touch
- foreplayPre-coital intimacy
- sensualityPursuit of physical pleasure
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- desireIntense wanting
passion · seduction · intimacy · touching · pleasure · romance · lovemaking · embrace
Holding tenderly, protectively
- rockingOscillating on curved base
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- comfortingGiving emotional ease
- holdingMaintaining physical possession
patting · gentle touch · reassurance · calming · protective · parental · caregiving · lulling
Criminal unwanted sexual contact
- gropingSearching by touch alone
- assaultViolent offensive act
- violationBreaking of rules
- misconductImproper professional behavior
predation · victimization · exploitation · grooming · perpetrator · victim · trauma · harm
caressing
Touching with affection
- strokingRubbing softly, repeatedly
- cuddlingAffectionate close holding
- snugglingNestling affectionately against another
tenderness · gentleness · warmth · embrace · touch · intimacy · closeness · bonding · endearment · loving
caress
Gentle loving touch
- foreplayPre-coital intimacy
- sensualityPursuit of physical pleasure
- arousalStirring to heightened state
desire · passion · seduction · intimacy · touching · pleasure · romance · lovemaking · embrace · titillation
cradling
Holding tenderly, protectively
- rockingOscillating on curved base
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- comfortingGiving emotional ease
holding · patting · gentle touch · reassurance · calming · protective · parental · caregiving · lulling · swaddling
molestation
Criminal unwanted sexual contact
misconduct · predation · victimization · exploitation · grooming · perpetrator · victim · trauma · harm · offense
- touchtouch, feel, touching, caress, feeling
- perceptionsee, vision, seeing, senses, observing
- kisseskiss, peck, smooch, snog, buss
- pet peevesannoyance, loud chewing, irritation, loud talking, frustration
fondlingattacking
Actively engaging offensively
assaulting · brutalizing · abusing · hurting · harming
fondlingrecoiling
Jerking backward in reaction
flinching · withdrawing · shrinking away · avoiding · shunning