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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The Illini will now face a Big Ten foe and Cinderella darlings, Iowa, in the Elite Eight on Saturday.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 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
Meanwhile, avant-garde heavy rockers Deftones became unexpected TikTok darlings and arena stars.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The Illini will now face a Big Ten foe and Cinderella darlings, Iowa, in the Elite Eight on Saturday.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darling
Adjective
-
Easter Sunday is a big day for many families across Texas, whether it’s spent at church, around the dinner table or celebrating with loved ones.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In some cases, airlines offer bereavement fares, which are discounted tickets for travelers dealing with the death or imminent death of a loved one.—
Layla Melendez,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In an adorable clip the Duchess of Sussex posted on Instagram last month, her daughter wore a miniature version of one of Markle's go-to silhouettes.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The adorable patch pockets also give them a retro flair that’s hard to compete with.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 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
-
The Buccaneer is a traveler's favorite on Saint Croix.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Los Angeles came up just short of Super Bowl LX last season, losing to the eventual champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, but the Rams are the odds-on favorites to win Super Bowl LXI next year.—
Megan Armstrong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Though Metayer Bowen and her husband had only been married for a few years, they were described by friends as high school sweethearts.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Another set of high school sweethearts, Kris and Jessica Bryant wed in their native Las Vegas in January 2017.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ezra did his own showcasing when meeting with CBS LA, presenting his entire collection of toy police cars, his detective notebook and his beloved police hat.—
Lesley Marin,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But the author didn't originally set out to write a follow-up to one of her most beloved books.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Growing up, Ralph Newman, the Lincoln historian and bookshop owner, was a dear friend of our family and a mentor to me.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Banks wrote a book with Isaac Knapper, the man wrongfully convicted for her father’s murder, calling him a dear friend.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
30 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 4 Apr. 2026.
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