Synonyms of darling

darling 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in loved

granted special treatment or attention

they poured gifts and affection on their darling child

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loved
• beloved
• cherished
• precious
• favorite
• sweet
• dear
• special
• adored
• favored
• pet
• fair-haired
• fond
• white-headed
• admired
• appreciated
• revered
• esteemed
• treasured
• preferred
• prized
• relished

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• despised
• disliked
• hated
• ignored
• detested
• loathed
• abhorred
• forgotten
• unbeloved
• disfavored
• abandoned
• disdained
• alienated
• unfavorite
• abominated
• execrated
• estranged

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

• adorable
• dear
• sweet
• precious
• loved
• lovely
• beautiful
• lovable
• charming
• endearing
• beloved
• winning
• cherished
• attractive
• enchanting
• favorite
• winsome
• delightful
• lovesome
• treasured
• desirable
• favored
• disarming
• cheerful
• fascinating
• admirable
• alluring
• appealing
• kissable
• nice
• embraceable
• kind
• pleasant
• gracious
• reputable
• engaging
• likable
• friendly
• pleasing
• entrancing
• captivating
• respectable
• affable
• agreeable
• fetching
• good-natured
• genial
• cordial
• good-tempered
• well-disposed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• odious
• loathsome
• abominable
• hateful
• detestable
• abhorrent
• horrible
• wretched
• unpleasant
• offensive
• disagreeable
• unloved
• disgusting
• contemptible
• ugly
• nasty
• lousy
• hideous
• heinous
• monstrous
• distasteful
• grotesque
• frightful
• unlovable
• repulsive
• repugnant
• awful
• vile
• unattractive
• dreadful
• repellent
• obnoxious
• scandalous
• appalling
• horrid
• shocking
• unsightly
• obscene
• revolting
• unlikable
• sickening
• foul
• ill-favored
• horrendous
• ogreish
• nauseating
• noisome

3

as in delightful

giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses

what a darling set of dishes!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delightful
• sweet
• delicious
• pleasant
• nice
• enjoyable
• pleasing
• good
• welcome
• heavenly
• satisfying
• pretty
• dreamy
• jolly
• tempting
• grateful
• delectable
• soothing
• luscious
• blessed
• comforting
• pleasurable
• tasty
• amusing
• charming
• comfortable
• happy
• felicitous
• agreeable
• gratifying
• congenial
• savory
• attractive
• desirable
• fascinating
• palatable
• dulcet
• delightsome
• blissful
• alluring
• enchanting
• cheerful
• enviable
• entertaining
• inviting
• gracious
• cheery
• amiable
• calming
• joyous
• kindly
• glad
• hospitable
• goodly
• affable
• relishable
• ecstatic
• genial
• personable
• rapturous
• good-natured
• exhilarating
• euphoric
• felicific
• recreative
• intoxicating
• diverting
• gemütlich
• elating
• nirvanic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disagreeable
• unpleasant
• unwelcome
• miserable
• abominable
• wretched
• horrid
• ghastly
• disgusting
• obnoxious
• vile
• odious
• unpalatable
• repulsive
• repugnant
• detestable
• flat
• sad
• hateful
• offensive
• hellish
• distasteful
• boring
• abhorrent
• irksome
• commonplace
• unsavory
• tedious
• repellent
• dull
• bilious
• insipid
• unhappy
• tragic
• gloomy
• dismal
• stale
• pleasureless
• deplorable
• dreary
• annoying
• depressing
• lamentable
• sorrowful
• regrettable
• doleful
• mournful
• god-awful
• irritating
• yucky
• joyless
• vexing
• exasperating
• heartbreaking
• lugubrious
• hostile
• disheartening
• displeasing
• aggravating
• revulsive
• heartrending
• dolorous
• perturbing
• lachrymose
• infuriating
• maddening
• disturbing
• distressing
• forbidding
• upsetting
• dissatisfying
• peeving
• intimidating
• enraging
• rankling
• angering
• outraging
• inflaming
• riling
• incensing

darling

2 of 2

noun

ˈdär-liŋ 

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

• favorite
• pet
• cup of tea
• preference
• dear
• fave
• beloved
• speed
• minion
• sweetheart
• treasure
• prize
• jewel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anathema
• abomination
• bugbear
• bête noire

2

as in sweetheart

a person with whom one is in love

anything you say, darling

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sweetheart
• sweetie
• dear
• sweet
• beloved
• love
• girlfriend
• lover
• boyfriend
• girl
• wife
• boy
• husband
• honey
• flame
• hon
• mistress
• sweetie pie
• squeeze
• bride
• truelove
• gal
• beau
• lass
• doll
• fellow
• paramour
• pet
• inamorata
• swain
• ladylove
• admirer
• man
• amour
• steady
• date
• groom
• wooer
• escort
• gallant
• fiancé
• suitor
• significant other
• tootsie
• duck(s)
• heartthrob
• crush
• intended

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of darling

Adjective

Stetson and Samuel -- my darling young men -- were sitting at the table, shoving and pulling one another in equally groggy measure. — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026

From the curb, 170 Benvenue is a darling Cape with four perfect little dormers peeking out of its roof, just below a stone chimney. — Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2026

Noun

While Haarmeyer is famous for making local Chenin Blanc a wine industry darling, Sanchez instead pours his Blau-Blau Blaufrankisch, an Austrian red varietal, and his Victor Weisser Gemischter Satz. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026

Cape Verde -- which has a population of roughly 500,000 -- quickly became a darling of the 2026 World Cup. — Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 3 July 2026

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