loved ones
Those held close
Loved ones are the people closest to you—family members, romantic partners, dear friends.
The phrase implies emotional bonds and mutual care: She wanted to spend the holidays with her loved ones.
It appears frequently in contexts of loss, illness, or separation, where the depth of connection matters: Our thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones.
- darlingsTreasured people or things
- dearestMost treasured one
- sweetheartAffectionate name for beloved
- partnerOne who shares activity
- significant otherRomantic life partner
relatives · family · flesh and blood · children · grandparents · siblings · soulmate · hold close · friends · cousin · confidant · nuclear family · aunt · niece · nephew · precious · inner circle · devotion
loved onesstrangers
People unknown to you
acquaintances · outsiders · nobodies · passersby · bystanders
loved onesenemies
Hostile opposing parties
sworn enemies · foes · adversaries · nemeses · antagonists
one, love, loving, loved, lover, beloved, lovable, lovers, lovingly