Try one of these words in place of ‘love’.
If you find yourself regularly telling someone how much you love them, you might feel as though the word is losing its meaning.
When you tell someone you love them, you want them to know how much you mean it, but if they keep hearing it, it might start to feel… forced, insincere, repetitive.
We’ve found some lovely alternatives to the word ‘love’ so that you can mix things up – whether it’s with a partner, friend, or family member.
These words still get the point across that you care deeply, but you can just say it in new ways so that the meaning feels genuine every time…
1. Devotion – I am devoted to you.
This goes beyond simply loving someone and shows that you are giving your all to this person.
It suggests a long-term feeling and shows that you’re invested in your relationship, whether it’s with a partner or family member – or even friend.
Showing how committed you are to the relationship shows a deep level of love and care for that person.
Letting someone know you’re devoted to them will help them feel safe and secure, and very valued in your life.
2. Dedication – I am dedicated to our friendship.
Saying that you are dedicated to someone shows that you are prioritizing them and making them an important aspect in your life.
It implies that you’re going to take this person into account when making decisions, and that you are accommodating them in your life and changing things to allow this commitment to them to continue to flourish.
All your eggs are in their metaphorical basket!
3. Faith – I have faith in you.
Telling someone that you have faith in them is such a beautiful, powerful way to go beyond saying you ‘love’ them.
It shows that you genuinely believe in what they’re doing and that you’re committing to their cause, whatever it is. You truly believe in what they are trying to achieve, and you’re both interested and invested in it.
For more spiritual or religious people, this also has a deeper meaning in that sense – again, you’re showing that you are committed to believing in them and dedicating aspects of your life to them and their beliefs and actions.
4. Commitment – I am committed to you.
If you’re looking for an alternative to ‘love,’ this is a word that can express your feelings for a romantic partner, friend, or family member.
It shows that you take them into account in your life, and that they really matter to you.
You’re letting them know that you consider them every day and in the actions you make – they help shape your decisions and you see them as a pillar in your life to build everything else around.
Being committed to someone also shows a level of security – you’re thinking long-term and you’re serious about how you feel.
5. Proud – I’m so proud of you.
Telling someone that they’ve made you proud is one of the best gifts you can give them.
It shows that you’re invested in what they’re doing and that you’re paying attention to what they’re achieving.
It’s also so beautiful to let someone know that you’re happy to see them succeed and want to celebrate this with them.
6. Cherish – I cherish my time with you.
This is stronger than the word ‘love’ in that it shows just how much you value spending time with them.
It lets them know that you really enjoy their company and look forward to seeing them. Telling someone you cherish them is a lovely way of letting them know how important they are to you.
It’s very sweet to hear someone say this to you, and will make your loved ones feel really important and considered in your life choices and future.
7. Respect – I respect your opinions.
Letting someone know that you respect them shows that you are genuinely taking an interest in what they’re saying and value how they think and feel.
It makes them feel seen and heard, and will give them the confidence to continue being honest with you.
This helps build stronger, deeper connections as there is space to make mistakes and grow, knowing that you are respecting each other.
It also shows a level of trust – you respect their decisions and you trust that they are making good ones!
8. Lust – I lust after you.
This is one for the romantic partners! Telling your partner that you feel lustful toward them will make them feel really wanted.
It’s a great way to boost their self-esteem and remind them that they’re an attractive being.
It can help forge strong connections between the two of you, and goes beyond just physical desire.
Try telling your partner why you lust after them – is it their outfit, their laugh, the twinkle in their eyes?
9. Adore – I adore you.
This word is a good alternative to ‘love’ and explicitly makes it clear that you’re obsessed (in a healthy way!) with this person.
It implies that you just think everything about them is amazing and you’re really in love with them, rather than just loving them.
Adoring someone is similar to being infatuated, but goes deeper than that. It’s almost a child-like rush of emotions that make you feel giddy and excited – and what better way to let someone know you love them than that?
10. Treasure – I treasure time with you.
Telling someone you treasure them or time spent with them is a beautiful thing to say.
It reminds them that you hold them very dear to you, and that you see huge value in them and their company.
This goes beyond loving someone and really reassures them how much they mean to you.
Treasure is obviously known to be incredibly important, of high value and very sought-after and rare. What’s better than being referred to in a similar way?
11. Intimacy – I love our emotional intimacy.
This is another one for a romantic partner, and can be used to express how close you feel to them.
Love can sometimes be seen to refer to infatuation or lust, but intimacy goes much deeper than that.
Intimacy is all about truly seeing each other and sharing beyond the surface level. Having emotional intimacy with someone shows a genuine connection.
12. Trust – I trust you with my heart.
Trust is so undervalued in relationships of all kinds.
A lot of us feel as though trust in a relationship is just about trusting your partner not to cheat on you. However, it goes way beyond that!
Being with someone, being vulnerable and honest about how you feel, is all about trust.
You don’t let your guard down for just anyone, so telling someone that you trust them means that you think there is a strong enough connection there that you can immerse yourself in them and let them be part of your world.
That might be a friend that you trust with a secret, a partner you trust with your heart and your vulnerability, or a family member you trust and confide in.
Either way, telling someone you trust them is a huge compliment and goes beyond simply loving them.
13. Ally – I am your ally in life.
It might sound a bit intense, but making an allegiance with someone is essentially telling them you love them and want to make a commitment to them.
It shows them that you are by their side and that you believe in them. Being someone’s ally is about standing up for them and supporting their views, beliefs, and actions.
Telling someone you’re their ally lets them know you’re on their side and you have their back – what better way to express an ongoing, unconditional love?
14. Value – I value your company.
Telling someone you value them or their company is another great alternative to the word love, and has a deep meaning.
It shows just how important they are to you, and how much you enjoy being around them.
Someone seeing value in you is such a beautiful, deep feeling and is definitely something we would recommend sharing with your loved ones.
15. Happy – You make me happy.
This is a personal favorite! Hearing someone tell you that you make them happy has to be the best feeling in the world.
Of course, we’re all about making yourself happy rather than relying on someone else to do that for you, but… it’s still such a beautiful sentiment!
Telling someone that they make you smile and laugh, that they make you feel giddy and excited, that they make you want to dance around grinning madly is the best thing you can tell someone!
I think this one goes beyond ‘I love you’ because it shows just how much of an impact they actually have on your feelings.
We probably all define ‘love’ slightly differently, and we’ve all experienced different kinds of love with different partners and friends.
Happiness, however, is a universal feeling of joy – and that’s the best gift you can give someone.
Telling someone they make you happy is a fantastic alternative to the word love, and goes even deeper by telling them how they make you feel in a way that goes beyond words…
