1
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention
they poured gifts and affection on their darling child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adorable
having qualities that tend to make one loved
a darling child that any couple would want to adopt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in delightful
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses
what a darling set of dishes!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others
for a while that candidate was the darling of the news media and could do no wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sweetheart
a person with whom one is in love
anything you say, darling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darling
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
The polished blouse is crafted from mulberry silk and spandex for a hint of stretch and has a darling tie-neck sash for extra flair.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025
Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Following her roles in Marty Supreme and I Love LA, Odessa A’zion swiftly emerged as one of Hollywood’s new darlings and a key character of this awards season.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darling
Adjective
Cozy floral lanterns are a darling way to spruce up your backyard, patio, or even kitchen table.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
The polished blouse is crafted from mulberry silk and spandex for a hint of stretch and has a darling tie-neck sash for extra flair.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025
Noun
In 2019, New York darling Zac Posen, famed for designer eveningwear, closed his eponymous business.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Following her roles in Marty Supreme and I Love LA, Odessa A’zion swiftly emerged as one of Hollywood’s new darlings and a key character of this awards season.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darling
Adjective
-
Fajgenbaum says six people have been treated with the drug so far, including five children, and all five children showed meaningful improvement — sitting up, engaging more with loved ones, and in some cases making gains that once seemed out of reach.—
Brad Quick,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
-
So the loved one ends up inside a vacuum cleaner and thrown out.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Read about the first-grade class that, in 1982, took a trip to tap a sugar maple, boil the sap, and share some adorable moments.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Bolstered by fuzzy electric guitars, the song also provides the perfect moment for TWS to show off their aegyo — a quintessentially South Korean gesture of acting adorable that doesn’t always translate well overseas.—
Jae-Ha Kim,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hall challenges my perspective (and my vocabulary) in delightful and sometimes devastating ways.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The smooth melody is joined by a charcheta and other experimental sounds, creating a delightful hybrid.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Drawing inspiration from Italian stracciatella and Chinese egg drop soups, two of my all-time favorites, the broth is lightly seasoned, then bolstered with leafy greens and gingery egg ribbons.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Fan favorites include a Teriyaki Chicken bowl with avocado and brussel sprouts and the Spicy Korean Steak bowl with bok choy.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Following Nicholas Brendon‘s death at age 54, Charisma Carpenter is paying tribute to her onscreen high school sweetheart.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Down on the lower levels, cowboys and their sweethearts were up and out of their seats, like a late-night set at the Firehouse.—
Joey Guerra,
Houston Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole just landed on the streamer and the nine-episode Scandi series focuses on his beloved Harry Hole novels, the troubled detective that launched the powerhouse Norwegian author’s writing career.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Now, the beloved lifestyle creator is making her biggest move yet — stepping from social media into the streaming world with her very own series on Tubi.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fortunately for me—and for you, dear listener—Stephan Jenkins had an unexpected answer to that question.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
25 Mar. 2026
-
These two visions are dear to us and remain relevant today.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Leonardo da Vinci himself couldn’t have drawn up a sweeter draw.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The regional specialty features a thin crust, a slightly sweet tomato sauce and loads of cheese — provolone-and-mozzarella or just provolone.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darling. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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