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darling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of darlingnext
1
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention they poured gifts and affection on their darling child

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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!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

darling

2 of 2

noun

ˈdär-liŋ How to pronounce darling (audio)
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

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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 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 darling
Adjective
Take a look at the rest of our picks for more darling dresses for summer, all from Amazon. — Dena Ogden, Southern Living, 22 June 2026 The show is part variety spectacular, part cabaret, part magic show, but always exceptionally darling. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Noun
In a way, the two very different brands –– one an established pillar of New York fashion famed for its ‘70s wrap dress, and the other a respected darling with prime promise — have a sort of big-little sister or kindred spirit association. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026 Training camp darling Dohnte Meyers contributed a slick catch-and-run, as did third-down back Samaje Perine. — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for darling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darling
  1. loved
  2. adorable
  3. delightful
  4. favorite
  5. sweetheart
  6. beloved
  7. dear
  8. sweet
Adjective
  • The Los Angeles Police Department offered its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of those who died during the crash.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • How eBay’s pre-loved runway works Rather than debut a brand-new collection, eBay built the Endless Runway around designer pieces already in circulation.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of loved
Adjective
  • Choose from a range of cute animals on the hood, including a unicorn, dragon and duck, to make for wildly adorable photos.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Tonally, the film is torn between wanting to be brutally bleak and offering some kind of hope for Murphy and his precocious, adorable daughter.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of adorable
Adjective
  • Inevitably, the room was filled with delightful noise and laughter.
    — Kelly Leonard, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Nashville group Total Wife go off the deep end with mutant hyperpop fantasies on their delightful Come Back Down, while Phoenix’s Glixen get romantic on Quiet Pleasures.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of delightful
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
  • First incarcerated as a teenager, Big Ant has spent so much of his life locked up that his high school sweetheart, Lozita (a forceful Danielle Brooks), stays with him out of loyalty, not love.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Lois and Billy were childhood sweethearts and had been in a relationship since the age of 16.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Adjective
  • Flagship publication the Sacramento Bee nixed six of 39 union journalists, a 15% cut that eliminated the sports desk, including a long-serving, beloved high school sports reporter.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Luke Talich became a Notre Dame fan because the Irish wore the same blue-and-gold colors as his beloved Cody High School Broncs.
    — Curt Rallo, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of beloved
Adjective
  • So many have left him since — his dear friend Joe Marconi, his radio partner Mike Pyle and his fierce rival in golf, cards and racquetball, Dan Reeves.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The pair became dear friends over the years, and Parton was there for McEntire in 1991 after a plane crash claimed eight members of McEntire’s band.
    — Maureen Chowdhury, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of dear
Adjective
  • Closer by in Amenia, pop into Tent to be tempted by ceramics and rugs, and get midday pastries at Peggy’s, a sweet little bakery in the center of town.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Each bite of brothy ground lamb and beans is flavored with sweet paprika and a touch of red pepper flakes—the perfect savory-spicy balance.
    — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of sweet

Browse Nearby Words

darksome
darling
darlingness
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Cite this Entry

“Darling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darling. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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