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 Daniel Jones is also noted as a dark horse for this significant award. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Speedy Ethan Bonner, the third-year player, is a dark horse starting candidate. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026 But the Idaho cyclist heads into this year’s tour as a wild card and a popular dark horse pick after a hectic start to the 2026 season. — Idaho Statesman, 30 June 2026 However, Norway is a worthy dark horse — not only in the match itself, but the entire tournament. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dark horse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark horse

Noun

The Dania Beach headquarters campus that once served as the nerve center of now-defunct Spirit Airlines has been sold to a Boston hedge fund that served as the stalking horse bidder in a bankruptcy court auction.

— David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Markets may be used as stalking horses to extract more from other markets.

— Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of stalking horse

Noun

If the Rangers are fully healthy, Vaakanainen is a long shot to start the season in the lineup after Mike Sullivan trusted him with only 34 games last year, even as the blue line battled injuries.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Former Boston College outside linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins became their final selection at 247th overall, and like most seventh-round picks, Hutchins was immediately cast as a long shot to make the roster.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of long shot

Noun

In the gleaming lobby, the brand’s signature scent—a warm and woody fragrance reminiscent of two of my favorites, Comme des Garçons’ Wonderwood and Odin New York’s 07 Tanoke—greeted me.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Moreno was a fan favorite among Birds in the Air viewers, and last week’s accident was a sobering reminder of how risky her line of work is.

— Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of favorite

Noun

Those advantages can deliver real business value and can be extremely difficult for competitors to overcome.

— George Couris, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The ability to evaluate a deal faster and more precisely than your competitors—without cutting corners—creates a compounding advantage.

— Alec Litowitz, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of competitor

Noun

Norway’s crown prince ascends to the throne after the death of his father, King Harald V.

— Violet Jira, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Born in 1937, his life was marked by war, exile, his love for the commoner Sonja, his long apprenticeship as crown prince, and, finally, more than three decades on the throne.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of crown prince

Noun

The Manor House also comes with a fully accessible ramp and a push-button door activator on entry.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
For households that want to experience MiniLED without stretching to a premium-tier budget, the Hisense M7SR is designed as an accessible entry point.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of entry

Browse Nearby Words

darkens

dark horse

dark horses

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Style

“Dark horse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark%20horse. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dark horse

noun

Example Sentences

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