Cupcake is a term of endearment, but it can also be a rather mean-spirited word.
From the nytimes.com
For the most part when someone calls me Baba Booey now it's a term of endearment.
From the sportsillustrated.cnn.com
I'm Into You is a straight-up Taio Cruz-composed song of romantic endearment.
From the mirror.co.uk
Her instrument is untamed, and her apparent lack of vanity about it, an endearment.
From the washingtonpost.com
Milne sought to clarify if the abusive word had been used as some term of endearment.
From the guardian.co.uk
The greenery nestles objects meant to express endearment and encouragement.
From the omaha.com
You know, I remember a time when trading insults was a form of endearment.
From the economist.com
At times, she and Burns seem to be battling for the audience's endearment.
From the denverpost.com
Indeed, those are some of the more moderate terms of endearment one is likely to hear.
From the nzherald.co.nz
More examples
The act of showing affection
Affection is a "disposition or state of mind or body" that is often associated with a feeling or type of love. It has given rise to a number of branches of philosophy and psychology concerning: emotion (popularly: love, devotion etc. ...