1
as in valuable
commanding a large price
caviar has always been among the dearest of foods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention
spared no expense when caring for and feeding her dear little dog
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adorable
having qualities that tend to make one loved
a dear friend that I would do anything for
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in darling
a person with whom one is in love
I love you, dear
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 dear
Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
What does 2026 look like for you, dear Taurus?
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2024
Somehow the ethereal little dears were inapprehensible without words.
—Tom Wolfe, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dear
Adjective
Cheers to the poets of 2026, and cheers to you, dear readers.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
What does 2026 look like for you, dear Taurus?
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Noun
At a recent event raising money for the Men Wear Pink campaign and for the Cincinnati Friars Club, another charity dear to Altenau's heart, the ambassadors climbed on stage and sang her a song.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2024
Somehow the ethereal little dears were inapprehensible without words.
—Tom Wolfe, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dear
Adjective
-
But Johnson was quick to remind players that, while adrenaline and desire are valuable, details become the separator in big games.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Although the divorce left Cher with limited immediate wealth, the royalty agreement proved to be valuable in the long-term, reportedly earning her tens of millions of dollars paid out gradually over decades.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There is so much pleasure to be had in rereading old favorites—and part of the joy is meeting beloved characters, who have been updated or somehow arrive in a new form to resist old tropes and types.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Due to the notoriety of the locally beloved sandwich, IndyStar recently held a Tenderloin Tournament to find the establishment that serves the best tenderloin in Indiana.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This includes flouncy midi dresses, romantic blouses, and adorable footwear.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But no amount of adorable anthropomorphic messaging can account for the screenwriters’ screaming lack of research and zero likable characters.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Sunshine Sale spans dresses, tops, skirts, shorts, and more, but some of our favorite finds include a darling cardigan to elevate your date night look, a breezy swing dress, and the cutest flare jeans that you’re bound to wear on repeat.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 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
Adjective
-
That would be roughly twice the base price of the company’s most expensive factory model, the Phantom.—
Peter Valdes-Dapena,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Most gamers will look at an expensive keyboard to enhance their play style but often overlook the mouse.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But after 9/11, Tagliabue showed a different side, particularly toward league employees who had lost loved ones in the attacks.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Preserving income, insurance and retirement Financial security also depends on preserving income and protecting loved ones.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In October 2024, Wasdin celebrated Ashmore's 45th birthday with a sweet post on Instagram.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Pats trusted their tight ends to handle Dolphins edge defenders on several occasions, and Henry did the job; not to mention his team-high five catches and sweet one-handed grab in the second quarter.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His high school sweetheart, Lynne Anne Vincent, was the school’s head baton twirler and a straight-A student.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The high school sweethearts grew into a family of three over the years that includes their three children—Cordé, Cordell, and Cori Broadus.—
Essence,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dear. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share