favorite 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of favoritenext
1
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention that teacher claims not to have any favorite students, although many in the class would disagree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preferred
singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking mint chocolate chip is my favorite flavor of ice cream

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in popular
enjoying widespread favor or approval a radio station that mostly plays favorite songs from the 1960s and 1970s

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

favorite

2 of 2

noun

ˈfā-v(ə-)rət How to pronounce favorite (audio)
as in darling
a person or thing that is preferred over others the youngest child was always Mother's favorite

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 favorite
Adjective
Being able to lose the roof and stow it in the trunk is one of my favorite parts of every modern Corvette, and that’s still true here. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026 Airbnb recommended The Tides by the Sea, a guest favorite overlooking the shoreline. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
Expect refined takes on local favorites, to expertly grilled meats and seasonal vegetable dishes, alongside a thoughtful wine list showcasing Greek producers. — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026 Prior to this year’s trade deadline, the Dodgers were already title favorites—they’ve had one of the best run differentials in the league all season—and the consensus after the Skubal trade is that a three-peat is practically a lock. — Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for favorite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favorite
  1. loved
  2. preferred
  3. popular
  4. darling
  5. beloved
  6. selected
  7. fashionable
  8. preference
Adjective
  • The Dallas Police Department says a teenager and a young girl who went missing early Wednesday have now been safely located and are being reunited with loved ones.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Others utilize programs for hospice care to look after loved ones, or small-business loans to open a new storefront or hire a new employee.
    — JD Vance, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of loved
Adjective
  • Wisconsin is famous for its Friday fish fry, and regulars are fiercely loyal to their preferred local restaurants.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Of those families, the district accommodated 69% of the requests, while about 118 families were not transferred to their preferred school, Spielberg said.
    — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of preferred
Adjective
  • In West Java, a fire broke out this week in the Suryakencana Meadow area of Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, a popular hiking destination.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Jackie and her mate Shadow were propelled to celebrity status via a popular livestream of their nest high up in a tree overlooking Big Bear Lake.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of popular
Noun
  • Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma stars Hannah Einbinder, veteran of the Emmy-darling Hacks series opposite Jean Smart.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Cotswolds have been the darling of British summertime for many years, popular with Londoners looking to escape city life.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • DeLeo and her family were spending Saturday at home preparing for their nephew’s 4th birthday party, one day before they were supposed to drive to Uniontown for the funeral of their beloved aunt, when the alert about the fire came.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The beloved comfort shoe has become a styling staple for those who know that the coolest looks are often the ones that feel effortless.
    — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of beloved
Adjective
  • Some cool features include a kill switch that automatically disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection fails, as well as split tunneling that allows selected apps to use the VPN connection while others transmit data in clear text.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
  • These pre-selected fighter pilots and their families moved into their apartments during the summer of 1960 after residing at the Frunze Central Airfield in Moscow.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 May 2026
Definition of selected
Adjective
  • Ironically, in Hollywood, the land of eternal youth, end-of-life-doula training has become newly fashionable in the way that studying Kabbalah once was.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Showing off a bump was hardly fashionable until the early ’90s.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Noun
  • Another simple and highly effective tool is the one-page profile — a short introduction of the child to teachers highlighting strengths, communication preferences, sensory considerations, effective motivators and important accommodations.
    — Jennifer Durocher, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
  • For contract negotiations valued between $3,000 and $100,000, the city uses a lowest-responsible-bidder evaluation and provides a 5% preference to certified small businesses within Fort Worth.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of preference

Browse Nearby Words

favoring
favorite
favorites
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Favorite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favorite. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of favorite for Spanish Speakers

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