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 outfit was topped with a favorite chocolate brown hat by Lock & Co. — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026 Why Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favorite TV show of all time. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
Maher noted that many of those candidates were heavy favorites to win but agreed that his statement was not accurate. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Another favorite is the Gritti Palace, where everyone from Brad Pitt to Elizabeth Taylor has stayed. — ABC News, 31 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
  • Our hearts are with Carla’s family and loved ones during this devastating time.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • An environmental consultant, Sorensen, 60, was deeply spiritual — conscious of and connected to the Earth, and her loved ones, in many ways.
    — Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of loved
Adjective
  • The clearest sign of the change came in 2024, when a study recorded Americans choosing cannabis over alcohol for daily consumption, marking the first time in history that cannabis has overtaken alcohol as the preferred daily substance.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This week, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation metric, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, along with the final US first-quarter GDP reading, will also be released.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of preferred
Adjective
  • Lavender Lavender is a popular garden perennial for its pleasantly calming fragrance and profuse purple blooms.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Since then, the outfit has remained massively successful in its home country of Canada and very popular in America – though its most recent full-length, Get Rollin’, marked its first to fail to enter the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in decades.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of popular
Noun
  • The company adds some 30 to 60 movies to its catalog annually, most of them lost gems of world cinema, festival-circuit darlings, or old Hollywood hits.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Small Prophets follows Quigley as the eccentric Michael Sleep (Quigley), an ordinary man who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has worked in a DIY store, while visiting his elderly dad Brian (Palin) and hoping for Clea to return.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • The rollout that led up to it offers a useful case study in how to reintroduce a dormant but beloved act without leaning on nostalgia alone.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The crowd stood and shared in the moving moment, bidding a beloved star farewell.
    — Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 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
  • From Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka to Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic, the biggest stars in tennis traded their on-court kits for some highly fashionable attire.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Packed to the rafters with fashionable Western clothing and accessories, Maverick Fine Western Wear is a must-stop shop in the heart of the Stockyards.
    — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Noun
  • Interestingly, Fernandez-Pardo was revered by Howe and would have been Newcastle’s principal target in May, though his initial preference was for Champions League football.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Bonnell appears to be treating software as another part of the motorcycle's suspension system and something that can be adjusted to suit the rider’s preferences, skill, and terrain.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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