endearing

Etymology

endear + -ing.

adj

1. Inspiring affection or love, often in a childlike way.
   endearing quality
   endearing innocence
   But the humorous look of children is perhaps the most endearing of all the bonds that hold the Cosmos together. 1907, G[ilbert] K[eith] Chesterton, “A Defence of Baby-worship”, in The Defendant (The Wayfarer’s Library), 3rd edition, London: J[oseph] M[alaby] Dent & Co.[…], →OCLC, page 116
   In legitimate comedy actresses conformed to a Victorian image of coquetry. Most comediennes were termed soubrettes, after their inclination for depicting young women in a variety of situations, in which the soubrettes employed their diverse popular talents to heighten their endearing magnetism. 1983, Chad Evans, “The Road to British Columbia”, in Frontier Theatre: A History of Nineteenth-century Theatrical Entertainment in the Canadian Far West and Alaska, Victoria, B.C.: Sono Nis Press, page 143
   And yet [Nathan] Jones is perfect in Fury Road, a deeply dangerous human weapon who, because of his infantile need for respect from his father, somehow turns out endearing even though we see him ripping an engine from the hood and throwing it at the good guys. 1 December 2017, Tom Breihan, “Mad Max: Fury Road Might Already be the Best Action Movie Ever Made”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 2018-02-22

noun

1. Synonym of endearment.

verb

1. present participle and gerund of endear.