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
Basketball is my favorite sport, and despite all of the complaints (some warranted and others not so much), the NBA is my favorite league. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Every auteur’s favorite side hustle is the music video, and Paul Thomas Anderson is no exception. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
These are two of the biggest favorites to win the Super Bowl this year. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 My personal favorite is the Lamborghini Countach, a pairing of manufacturer and model name that has unparalleled phonetic potency. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 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
  • Granbery was reunited safely with her loved ones, who helped with search and rescue operations and provided critical information to help locate her, the sheriff's office said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The company has also expanded into care and repair and a pre-loved business, extending the life of products while creating additional ways to engage consumers.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of loved
Adjective
  • Of course, if the trivia category is not your preferred flavor — as was the case for me with the legal terms in this puzzle — then the cookie dough lode can feel more like freezer burn to hack at with a spoon.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Paris Fashion Week wrapped up a month of inventive and expressive street style, with denim often serving as the preferred canvas.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of preferred
Adjective
  • The series is a big-budget bet for Disney+, adapting a wildly popular webtoon with around 3 billion views worldwide into a lavish romantasy series.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The nine suites sell out far in advance, especially if there's a popular event in the city, so book well ahead if your heart is set on staying here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of popular
Noun
  • Very often, my darling husband Steven will quietly deliver a sandwich to my desk.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Our favorite dress picks have a variety of styles and versatile features, like darling ruffles, cinching waistlines, and trending silhouettes.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • The beloved Southern breakfast chain is known for staying open 24/7, even through severe weather.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The beloved Southern breakfast chain is known for staying open through severe weather and often is a measuring stick of a storm's severity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of beloved
Adjective
  • The Pope Leo Village Homes initiative is underway in Bronzeville with five of the seven area homes under construction and two with selected homeowners.
    — Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of selected
Adjective
  • The Marché des Enfants Rouges, tucked away on Rue de Bretagne in the fashionable Marais neighborhood, is the oldest covered food market in Paris and a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
    — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Many of them were designed with a specific activity in mind, like hiking or running, and the fashionable crowd adopted them as outfit enhancers.
    — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Noun
  • Without another person’s preferences to weigh, diners can set their own pace or try restaurants that might not appeal to their usual companions.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Without another person’s preferences to weigh, guests have more freedom over the timing, location and food choices that shape their meal.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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