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
The neighborhood/area Nosara is one of our favorite towns in Costa Rica. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026 Each morning before most cars pull up to the Arco gas station on Sutterville Road in Sacramento's Land Park neighborhood, Bobby Singh's already been at work inside, rolling out a customer favorite. — Melissa May, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
The Wolverines were 27½-point favorites in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut. — Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 The Rams are an overwhelming favorite to win Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
  • Copper peptides have become the darling of social media skin care hacks.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The vaunted Miami Hurricanes were able to obliterate an undermanned Stanford team out west, and the Michigan State Spartans kicked off the Pat Fitzgerald era in style with a 30-20 win over MAC darlings Toledo on Friday.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 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
  • The head-to-toe branding made tennis one of the most fashionable sports, taking its influence far beyond the court.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Alongside Kudrow, 63, and Sorvino, 58, as the fashionable BFF duo, other original cast members who are reprising their roles in the sequel, again scripted by Schiff, are Alan Cumming, Janeane Garofalo, Camryn Manheim and Julia Campbell.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Noun
  • Unlike conventional site-selection methods that mainly assess technical factors, the new approach also considers zoning rules, historical sites, architectural value, local economic priorities, and community preferences.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, servers in the restaurants remembered guest names and personal preferences, an impressive feat.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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