caressing vs fondling

caressing and fondling both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
caressing	Yes	No	No	No
fondling	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, caressing and fondling are synonyms defined as:

caressing and fondling: affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)

Other synonyms of caressing include cuddling, hugging, kissing, necking, petting, smooching, snuggling.

caressing (noun)	fondling (noun)
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)	affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)