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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sweethearts
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 darlings
Knicks celebrate Fresh-off-the-title darlings Deuce McBride and Tyler Kolek swap confetti for ocean breezes at Montauk’s hot spot Bounce Beach.
—
Nancy Kane,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Outside of the hospital, Emmy darlings Julianne Nicholson and Allison Janney should score nominations for their work on Paradise and The Diplomat, respectively.
—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
25 June 2026
The Hornets were the second-half darlings of the NBA last year.
—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
That changed on Monday, when Cape Verde and its 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became early darlings of the World Cup after holding European champion Spain, one of the tournament favorites, to a scoreless draw in their opening match.
—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 June 2026
Despite Algeria becoming the local darlings of Lawrence, KC Live!
—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
New Zealand filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou — twins better known by their nom de YouTube RackkaRackka, where their violent, nutso videos were embraced by millions of viewers — became indie darlings thanks to their 2022 hit for A24, Talk to Me.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Take a peek inside where the revenues for these AI darlings will come from.
—
Bhaskar Chakravorti,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Nancy Kane,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Outside of the hospital, Emmy darlings Julianne Nicholson and Allison Janney should score nominations for their work on Paradise and The Diplomat, respectively.
—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
25 June 2026
The Hornets were the second-half darlings of the NBA last year.
—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
That changed on Monday, when Cape Verde and its 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became early darlings of the World Cup after holding European champion Spain, one of the tournament favorites, to a scoreless draw in their opening match.
—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 June 2026
Despite Algeria becoming the local darlings of Lawrence, KC Live!
—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
New Zealand filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou — twins better known by their nom de YouTube RackkaRackka, where their violent, nutso videos were embraced by millions of viewers — became indie darlings thanks to their 2022 hit for A24, Talk to Me.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Take a peek inside where the revenues for these AI darlings will come from.
—
Bhaskar Chakravorti,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darlings
Noun
-
Despite entering the match as overwhelming favorites, Argentina is approaching the match cautiously.
-
Hanging baskets brimming with geraniums, begonias, petunias, and other summertime favorites can liven up front porches, patios, and balconies with fantastic color.
Noun
-
Harry and Katie are childhood sweethearts Harry and Katie have known each other since childhood.
-
Michael Cincinati and Amanda Price were high school sweethearts.
Noun
-
May these two sweeties never travel to Russia ever again.
Noun
-
Wine lovers should consider hitting some stops on the Great River Road Wine Trail, especially Danzinger Vineyards on the bluff in Alma.
-
The track went viral on TikTok earlier this year, with longtime lovers of the musician remembering the hit, while younger fans may have discovered it for the first time.
Cite this Entry
“Darlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darlings. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
