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 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 Dark horses Germany Four-time World Cup winner Germany is listed as a dark horse primarily because of its subpar performances since winning the title in 2014, with the team failing to progress from the group stage in both 2018 and 2022. — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 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

Considering the depth the Bucs have at receiver with Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson returning, and rookie Ted Hurst a lock to make the club, Patterson is a long shot to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

— Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
But Cigar, at odds of 1-10, got caught up in a speed duel and wound up losing to a 39-1 long shot named Dare and Go.

— Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of long shot

Noun

Visitors spent the day sampling soul food favorites, including ribs, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, chicken and waffles, cornbread and a variety of sweet desserts.

— Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Skincare favorites from High Potency, Cold Plasma Plus+ and more also available.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of favorite

Noun

The only difference is that, after this race, some of the competitors collapsed to the floor with sparks flying from their insides while safety officials charged over to attend to them with fire extinguishers.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The remaining 30% of the settlement value is contingent on Meta’s competitors, YouTube and TikTok, agreeing to similar design changes and payments.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 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

Chuangsri won out of a field of 108 contestants in the pageant, which last year was held in India’s southern Hyderabad city.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
The contestants will have to design a wedding dress that showcases their style, and the winning design will be produced and sold by David’s Bridal.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

These routing announcements are declarations made as entries on a global routing table used by all ASes and the hosting providers serving them.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
Entry denials have risen sharply over the past year and for reasons that did not constitute grounds for denial previously, including suspicions of anti-Israel views, say Israeli lawyers who represent travelers who were denied entry.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of entry

Browse Nearby Words

darkens

dark horse

dark horses

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dark horse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark%20horse. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dark horse

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

magnanimous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes