as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention
she had been the teacher's fair-haired pupil—the one who could do no wrong
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Recent Examples of fair-haired
Amanda was feline and fair-haired; Emerald had the large eyes, thick black eyebrows, and neotenous features of an anime hero.
—
Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Unlike the legend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet — whose rejection by the Prince of Denmark sparks her unraveling — this fair-haired singing socialite will not be losing the plot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Initially, instrumental music is playing, but once the band dies down, a fair-haired youth starts singing, countertenor-like.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 27 July 2025
Legend has it that in 1327, Petrarch caught sight of a fair-haired, married woman named Laura in the church of Saint-Claire and fell head over heels, inspiring ardent daily writings of passion, anguish and ultimately despair.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Pavan was two months shy of 18, fair-haired and lanky.
—Mari Saito, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Emma has been some fabulous version of blonde for quite some time now, interrupting her fair-haired streak with the occasional brunette detour.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025
Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Unlike the legend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet — whose rejection by the Prince of Denmark sparks her unraveling — this fair-haired singing socialite will not be losing the plot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Initially, instrumental music is playing, but once the band dies down, a fair-haired youth starts singing, countertenor-like.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 27 July 2025
Legend has it that in 1327, Petrarch caught sight of a fair-haired, married woman named Laura in the church of Saint-Claire and fell head over heels, inspiring ardent daily writings of passion, anguish and ultimately despair.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Pavan was two months shy of 18, fair-haired and lanky.
—Mari Saito, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Emma has been some fabulous version of blonde for quite some time now, interrupting her fair-haired streak with the occasional brunette detour.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fair-haired
Adjective
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We’d e-mailed her friends; her beloved younger brother had come from New Hampshire.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
-
One of the brand’s most beloved products, the Glow Serum, shows exactly what the brand does best.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But for the loved ones of the three still missing, an agonizing wait continues.—
Kocha Olarn,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
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At that same company, a hospice social worker wrote about a family's grief when their loved one passed, but there was no evidence the patient was actually dead.—
Adam Yamaguchi,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Big Ten would retain its cherished TV content but avoid the near-empty pro stadiums for three days.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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The students – three young men and two young women – were arrested, and their fate was widely discussed by a grieving community preparing for the cherished teacher’s Saturday funeral.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There are precious few roads, and nothing is impervious to the whims of weather.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Having access to knowledge and being able to collectively reflect are rights too precious to surrender to those who prefer us ignorant.—
Megan Thiele Strong,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In case these weren’t enough reasons to buy this staple on repeat, here are a few of my favorite ways to improve the party with a bag of chips.—
Anna Hezel,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Glamour readers cast thousands of votes for their favorite products of 2026, and the results are in.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The 100 percent-cotton flannel material delivers superior softness, breathability, and warmth, while the darling floral pattern is perfect for the spring or those who want to give their bedroom timeless charm.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
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Sandy Liang graced us with so much darling fashion inspo, including fluffy heels that look like bunny slippers.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In the hands of a sandwich master, these things can come from elsewhere—in the Vegitalian, thin slabs of fresh mozzarella and, of all things, a thick layer of roasted sweet-potato slices.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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Relax by the grand fireplace overlooking the mountainside as you’re delivered triers of sweet pastries and chocolate treats, savory salmon toasts, lobster rolls, and more while Artisanal high chocolate is poured over fluffy cotton candy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Reiner’s tribute was one of the emotional highs of the Oscars, Billy Crystal paying tribute to his dear friend and then being joined on stage by dozens of actors from Reiner’s movies, from Kathy Bates to Meg Ryan, Jerry O’Connell, Annette Bening and more.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
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Homes are safe spaces where the most intimate private truths can be discussed by the people who hold each other most dear.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fair-haired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fair-haired. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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