Loving, a.
1. Affectionate. The fairest and most loving wife in Greece. Tennyson.
2. Expressing love or kindness; as, loving words.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for loving; he lists it under amiable, friendly.
Where he writes about it:
Amiable combines the senses of lovable or lovely and loving; the amiable character has ready affection and kindliness for others, with the qualities that are adapted to win their love; amiable is a higher and stronger word than good-natured or agreeable. — from amiable
A sweet disposition is very sure to be amiable, the loving heart bringing out all that is lovable and lovely in character. — from amiable
Synonyms
Antonyms
acrimoniousadversealienatedantagonisticbellicosebelligerentchurlishcoldcontentiouscrabbedcruelcrustydisaffecteddisagreeabledistantdoggedestrangedfrigidgruffhatefulhostileill-conditionedill-disposedill-humoredill-naturedill-temperedindifferentinimicalmorosesoursullensurlyunamiableunfriendlyunkindunlovelywarlike