1
as in favorites
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sweethearts
a person with whom one is in love
anything you say, darling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darlings
The Seminoles were 13-0, playoff darlings, swagger restored, the logo gleaming again like a championship promise.
—
D’joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The assumption now, of course, is that the 2025 Jays aren’t only Canada’s team but have become the darlings of most of North America.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Before Jenna Ortega and Scream, before Mia Goth and Pearl, and before the young cast of Yellowjackets became our cannibal darlings, Maika Monroe arrived to put her own indelible stamp on 21st-century horror.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
National parks are the darlings of public lands, receiving the highest degree of protection and the most public support.
—Gloria Liu, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
And just like today, companies that didn’t yet turn a profit were some of the darlings of Wall Street.
—Christine Romans, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
According to HockeyStatCards, which combines data from Natural Stat Trick and Dom Luszczyszyn’s Game Score model, Sebrango and Nikolas Matinpalo were far from analytical darlings.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
But more and more, Black List darlings wind up as buzzy Netflix curios like They Cloned Tyrone and May December.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Currently, her work has been worn by fashion icons Naomi Campbell and Anok Yai, as well as music darlings like Kelly Rowland, Cassie, and SZA.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
D’joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The assumption now, of course, is that the 2025 Jays aren’t only Canada’s team but have become the darlings of most of North America.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Before Jenna Ortega and Scream, before Mia Goth and Pearl, and before the young cast of Yellowjackets became our cannibal darlings, Maika Monroe arrived to put her own indelible stamp on 21st-century horror.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
National parks are the darlings of public lands, receiving the highest degree of protection and the most public support.
—Gloria Liu, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
And just like today, companies that didn’t yet turn a profit were some of the darlings of Wall Street.
—Christine Romans, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
According to HockeyStatCards, which combines data from Natural Stat Trick and Dom Luszczyszyn’s Game Score model, Sebrango and Nikolas Matinpalo were far from analytical darlings.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
But more and more, Black List darlings wind up as buzzy Netflix curios like They Cloned Tyrone and May December.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Currently, her work has been worn by fashion icons Naomi Campbell and Anok Yai, as well as music darlings like Kelly Rowland, Cassie, and SZA.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darlings
Noun
-
The Jayhawks entered as favorites and scored the game’s first seven points.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
-
At this point in the year, there are a handful of players who have separated themselves as potential Heisman Trophy favorites.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Flacco and his wife were high school sweethearts who met in their New Jersey hometown.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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The story follows two couples of high school sweethearts in a small North Carolina town.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
At the core, his characters are all sweeties.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The pride of Odysseus, the passion of Shakespeare’s lovers, and the dread facing Ivan Ilyich on his deathbed remain inextinguishable qualities of our inner lives.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
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For dog lovers, USA TODAY Pets is your ultimate resource — from training tips to health hacks and fun stories.—
Allison Moses,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Darlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darlings. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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