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
Other companies scheduled to report are market darlings SanDisk and Western Digital , as well as Deckers, and Stryker.
—
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
While sitting front row at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026 show on January 28, the London society darlings seemingly nodded to their status as British sartorial tastemakers with an NSFW twist on power dressing.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
The stock market — powered by AI darlings like Nvidia, which in October became the first company in history to hit a $5 trillion valuation — notched multiple records.
—Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
The Indiana Hoosiers will take the field for college football’s National Championship game Monday night as the darlings of the sports world.
—Keith O’Brien, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Hawke seems most likely to still make it into the category as well, as one of the main critical darlings of the season, but faces the challenge of likely being the sole nominee for his film.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 14 Jan. 2026
Whales have been beached Once upon a time, whales were the darlings of the beer scene.
—Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
First, the Art Institute invites Grammy darlings Third Coast Percussion to perform pieces for player piano by late architect Bruce Goff, the subject of a major retrospective running through March.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
In a November interview with CNBC, Dalio did not deny the potentially transformative effects of AI, but maintained the currently soaring valuations of tech darlings could face a correction before companies figure out how to fully integrate AI.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
While sitting front row at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026 show on January 28, the London society darlings seemingly nodded to their status as British sartorial tastemakers with an NSFW twist on power dressing.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
The stock market — powered by AI darlings like Nvidia, which in October became the first company in history to hit a $5 trillion valuation — notched multiple records.
—Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
The Indiana Hoosiers will take the field for college football’s National Championship game Monday night as the darlings of the sports world.
—Keith O’Brien, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Hawke seems most likely to still make it into the category as well, as one of the main critical darlings of the season, but faces the challenge of likely being the sole nominee for his film.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 14 Jan. 2026
Whales have been beached Once upon a time, whales were the darlings of the beer scene.
—Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
First, the Art Institute invites Grammy darlings Third Coast Percussion to perform pieces for player piano by late architect Bruce Goff, the subject of a major retrospective running through March.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
In a November interview with CNBC, Dalio did not deny the potentially transformative effects of AI, but maintained the currently soaring valuations of tech darlings could face a correction before companies figure out how to fully integrate AI.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darlings
Noun
-
Once news broke that Nix would miss the game and Stidham would start, the Patriots were listed as favorites in the game.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The same is true for Morgan, who along with Morgan, has ranked among the Royal Rumble betting favorites.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, there are several couples from earlier seasons who have gone the distance, including America’s sweethearts from season 1, Lauren and Cameron.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The couple, high school sweethearts with six kids and 20 grandchildren, sought to diversify their business ventures with the purchase, Mark Jones told the Examiner.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
May these two sweeties never travel to Russia ever again.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After all, when lovers of the cosmos come together in this Earth sign, tradition, courtship and long-term commitment take precedence over fleeting chemistry.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The cafe’s signature coconut latte is a great way to beat the heat and a must for coconut lovers.—
Arundhati Hazra,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darlings. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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