as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention
she had been the teacher's fair-haired pupil—the one who could do no wrong
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Recent Examples of fair-haired
The proud Westeros family of dragonlords have always been intent on making things bend to their (fair-haired, dragon-loving) will, even when the chips were down.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026
Amanda was feline and fair-haired; Emerald had the large eyes, thick black eyebrows, and neotenous features of an anime hero.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Unlike the legend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet — whose rejection by the Prince of Denmark sparks her unraveling — this fair-haired singing socialite will not be losing the plot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Initially, instrumental music is playing, but once the band dies down, a fair-haired youth starts singing, countertenor-like.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 27 July 2025
Legend has it that in 1327, Petrarch caught sight of a fair-haired, married woman named Laura in the church of Saint-Claire and fell head over heels, inspiring ardent daily writings of passion, anguish and ultimately despair.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Pavan was two months shy of 18, fair-haired and lanky.
—Mari Saito, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Emma has been some fabulous version of blonde for quite some time now, interrupting her fair-haired streak with the occasional brunette detour.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026
Amanda was feline and fair-haired; Emerald had the large eyes, thick black eyebrows, and neotenous features of an anime hero.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Unlike the legend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet — whose rejection by the Prince of Denmark sparks her unraveling — this fair-haired singing socialite will not be losing the plot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Initially, instrumental music is playing, but once the band dies down, a fair-haired youth starts singing, countertenor-like.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 27 July 2025
Legend has it that in 1327, Petrarch caught sight of a fair-haired, married woman named Laura in the church of Saint-Claire and fell head over heels, inspiring ardent daily writings of passion, anguish and ultimately despair.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Pavan was two months shy of 18, fair-haired and lanky.
—Mari Saito, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Emma has been some fabulous version of blonde for quite some time now, interrupting her fair-haired streak with the occasional brunette detour.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fair-haired
Adjective
-
While the hotel is brand new, the private club, farm, and beloved restaurant Ninety Acres have been around for more than a decade.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
But right up until the final moments of Starz’s long-running fantasy historical romantic drama, devoted viewers feared that their beloved 20th-century English combat nurse and 18th-century Scottish highland warrior were not going to get their happy ending after all.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Jonze embarks on a journey to Miami, but now seeks revenge for the death of her loved ones.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Favorites like the Evolution Cool ($52 after discount), Evolution S3 ($32 after discount), and The Neck Evolution S3 (TNE) ($44 after discount) are all wonderful gifting options for loved ones of all ages.—
Jamie Spain,
Condé Nast Traveler,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Grubs, the larval stage of beetles such as Japanese beetles and June bugs, are notorious garden pests that feed on the roots of cherished plants and grass.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
8 May 2026
-
With Grace, his cherished daughter, books framed their fleeting bond.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The price of the precious metal has skyrocketed—briefly surpassing a record five thousand dollars an ounce earlier this spring—and, as Jennifer Wilson reports from the American West for this week’s special issue, this has led to a boom in prospecting not seen since the days of the forty-niners.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Rihanna's sentimental piece, of course, will never go out of style; those meaningful moments will only be more precious as time goes on!—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
The return of Sia's Fan Favorite comes two years after Probst, 64, announced in May 2024, after Survivor's 46th season, that Sia would no longer be awarding money to her favorite players.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
The property is located right next to a playground and creek to get the wiggles out, and the infinity pool is a favorite.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The show is part variety spectacular, part cabaret, part magic show, but always exceptionally darling.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
-
Adorned with a darling floral print and fitted with two deep side pockets, this mini is both flattering and functional.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Izaiah is sweet, funny, and incredibly thoughtful, often bringing a positive and lighthearted energy to the people around him.—
MARE Staff,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
This sort of attention to dessert is otherwise increasingly rare; too many ambitious kitchens pour all their resources into their savory menus and then punt on the sweet courses, serving a scoop of gelato in a fancy coupe, or a slice of cake assembled off-site.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sometimes, there’s no better way to pay tribute to a dear friend than by lambasting them with insults.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
When Kamyar, her co-department-head and dear friend, broaches his upcoming parental leave, Gabrielle’s response is one part scoffing to ten parts guilt-tripping.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fair-haired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fair-haired. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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