DARK HORSE Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

dark horse

noun

Definition of dark horse

as in stalking horse

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in long shot

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

sure thing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dark horse Often considered a dark horse on the Team USA squad, 17-year-old Simone Rose rose to the occasion on Sunday, winning a pair of silver medals on the uneven bars and on balance beam. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Erling Haaland is a big reason for their revival; bearing a striking resemblance to a Norse god – and with an aura to match – his goalscoring prowess makes some think Norway could be a dark horse for the tournament. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 21 June 2026 This comeback could be just what the team needs to fulfill its dark horse arc. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 17 June 2026 Morocco’s draw against Brazil showed its potential to be the World Cup’s ultimate dark horse. — David Hickey, NBC news, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dark horse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark horse

Noun

Markets may be used as stalking horses to extract more from other markets.

— Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026
As part of those filings, Red Lobster entered into a stalking horse purchase agreement pursuant to which Red Lobster will sell its business to an entity formed and controlled by its existing term lenders.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

Definition of stalking horse

Noun

Asteroid mining may sound like a long shot, but so did reusable rockets not long ago — and in both cases, the engineering was never really the question.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
No Republican has won the Los Angeles mayor’s office since 1997, making Pratt’s bid a significant long shot from the outset.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026

Definition of long shot

Noun

Top seed and top regional singles player Phuc Huynh beat Vietnam’s favorite son Quang Duong in the final.

— Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
But some of the Democrats tasked with making the decision worry that the state is too closely associated with favorite son and former President Joe Biden.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Definition of favorite son

Noun

Schwarber and Harper will be the hometown favorites among the Philadelphia crowd; Schwarber is also the favorite to win the contest.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
Kylo's adoption fee was fully paid for in memory of Jim Ehrig, a fan favorite of Kylo's who passed away.

— Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of favorite

Noun

Anita Edmondson, a business owner and teacher who previously served on the Poway City Council, was elected to fill the council’s District 2 seat once again in the recent election against competitor Vanessa Springett.

— Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Then check whether your brand gets mentioned, how it's described, whether competitors are included and which sources get cited.

— Dr. Bin Tang, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of competitor

Noun

Marius Borg Hoiby, the stepson of Norway's crown prince, has been sentenced after being convicted of rape and domestic violence, in a case that has blemished his family's image.

— Gwladys Fouche, USA Today, 15 June 2026
While other countries were represented by their kings or crown princes, the UAE sent only its foreign minister to the meeting.

— Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of crown prince

Noun

The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island in New York on July 4, where contestants ate several days' worth of calories in just 10 minutes.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The reality star — who was briefly engaged to the winner of his season, Hannah Ann Sluss, and dated his fifth place contestant, Kelley Flanagan, on and off for years — addressed the book for the first time on Monday.

— Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

Now that space is a market and not just a proving ground, the engineering that was once the whole game is only the cost of entry — and as in any maturing market, most ventures will not make it past that threshold.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Prosecutors have alleged that Millete physically abused May, pointing to her past journal entries.

— Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026

Definition of entry

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darkens

dark horse

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Style

“Dark horse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark%20horse. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dark horse

noun

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