Synonyms of favorite

favorite 1 of 2

adjective

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

• loved
• beloved
• cherished
• precious
• special
• darling
• favored
• sweet
• adored
• pet
• dear
• fond
• admired
• fair-haired
• appreciated
• preferred
• white-headed
• esteemed
• revered
• treasured
• prized
• relished

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disliked
• despised
• hated
• detested
• ignored
• abhorred
• loathed
• disfavored
• forgotten
• unfavorite
• unbeloved
• abandoned
• disdained
• alienated
• abominated
• execrated
• estranged

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

• preferred
• selected
• select
• favored
• chosen
• choice
• picked
• elect
• first-line
• of choice
• handpicked
• cherry-picked
• fashionable
• exclusive
• screened
• winnowed (out)
• culled
• weeded (out)
• picked over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• average
• ordinary
• commonplace
• run-of-the-mill

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

• popular
• fashionable
• popularized
• large
• famous
• pop
• big
• hot
• preferred
• desirable
• red-hot
• happening
• crowd-pleasing
• vogue
• fabulous
• legendary
• faddish
• celebrated
• prominent
• in
• selected
• liked
• famed
• voguish
• faddy
• renowned
• notorious
• modish
• important
• outstanding
• du jour
• notable
• fabled
• well-known
• remarkable
• wanted
• noted
• semipopular
• leading
• significant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unpopular
• out
• rejected
• disliked
• unfashionable
• despised
• hated
• detested
• unimportant
• insignificant
• unknown
• obscure
• anonymous
• washed-up
• nameless
• unexceptional
• inconspicuous
• indistinguished

favorite

2 of 2

noun

ˈfā-v(ə-)rət 

as in darling

a person or thing that is preferred over others

the youngest child was always Mother's favorite

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darling
• preference
• pet
• fave
• cup of tea
• treasure
• speed
• beloved
• minion
• dear
• sweetheart
• prize
• jewel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anathema
• abomination
• bugbear
• bête noire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of favorite

Adjective

The outfielder said his opposite-field home run was his favorite swing of the night, but manager Tony Vitello described being in awe of Ramos’ 434-foot blast to ice the game. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Children sometimes memorize their favorite board books, an easy enough task since most of them have fewer than five hundred words. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Noun

There are multiple golf courses in the region, including local favorites Shadow Ridge in Kelowna and Predator Ridge’s Ridge Course, one of two on the property in Vernon. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

These days, cryotherapy and cupping are high on his list of favorites, while cold plunges have notably fallen behind. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 July 2026