kissing vs caressing

kissing and caressing both are nouns.

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

As nouns, kissing and caressing are synonyms defined as:

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

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

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