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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
America’s favorite game The NFL has become one of the most valuable and watched properties in American television—and streaming. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026 Armor yourself with an arsenal of thoughtful gift ideas to solidify your status as their favorite bonus child. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
As the night continued, guests danced well into the evening to DJ Mia Moretti‘s tunes from fan favorites Madonna and Abba. — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026 Billed as Super Bowl favorites, the Rams were flat in Australia, losing 27-7 to the rival San Francisco 49ers at Melbourne Cricket Ground. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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
  • Re-loved is a more recent upcycling initiative that allows customers to return their wax jackets in exchange for a voucher.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But the physical funeral home — the place where a loved one’s remains may be held — is not regulated by any state agency.
    — Susana Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of loved
Adjective
  • And while the Heat do have an open roster spot, the preferred path for any upgrade at this point likely would be on ready-to-go talent, not necessarily a player who may or may not still have it.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Maresca has also probably muddied the waters by refusing to identify a preferred holding midfielder and describing both new players in similar terms.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of preferred
Adjective
  • The duck flew on to Madison Avenue just months after the debut of the Geico Gecko, another popular insurance mascot.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • And choosing dates that don’t make for the very popular Thursday-to-Sunday trip can be a cost-saver.
    — Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of popular
Noun
  • Training camp darling Dohnte Meyers contributed a slick catch-and-run, as did third-down back Samaje Perine.
    — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
  • In the ’90s and early 2000s, Sarah Jessica Parker cemented herself as a bona fide fashion darling, wearing looks from designers like Oscar de La Renta and Chanel.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup No need to drive to Panera, this recipe brings the cozy, familiar flavors of the chain’s beloved broccoli and cheddar soup home.
    — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Giuliani’s ascent to beloved national icon in the final months of his second term as mayor followed an otherwise tumultuous last year in office.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 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
  • At the fashionable Masel Tov restaurant, a poem by the Jewish wartime hero Hannah Szenes marks a fragment of wall, part of a ghetto where 70,000 Jewish people lived for several weeks between December 1944 and January 1945.
    — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Noel also praises Liam’s fashionable cool (Stone Island parka, big sunglasses, tambourine as a fascinator) and how much his frontman persona resonated with fans worldwide.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Noun
  • Rise of delivery plays a role too Meeting consumers’ texture demands and preferences is a growing challenge for the food industry.
    — Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Trump’s preference for immediate gratification explains many of his decisions, including defunding scientific and medical research, accelerating fossil-fuel emissions, and denigrating American soft power globally.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of preference

Browse Nearby Words

favoring
favorite
favorites
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Cite this Entry

“Favorite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favorite. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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