caress vs fondle

caress is a noun but fondle is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
caress	Yes	No	Yes	No
fondle	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, caress and fondle are synonyms defined as:

caress and fondle: touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner

caress (noun)	fondle (noun)
a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)

caress (verb)	fondle (verb)
touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner	touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner