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
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
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Most of your favorite characters, including Will, are returning, too — just not the same actors.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Jason Dill
november 5, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
The next day in Rio was one of my favorites of the entire trip.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for favorite
Adjective
One of his favorite examples came from a fellow traveler named Kelly Narowski.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Most of your favorite characters, including Will, are returning, too — just not the same actors.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
New coffee shop opens in Palmetto Customer favorites include the brown butter chocolate chip cookie and cinnamon roll.
—Jason Dill
november 5, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
The next day in Rio was one of my favorites of the entire trip.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for favorite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favorite
Adjective
-
But after 9/11, Tagliabue showed a different side, particularly toward league employees who had lost loved ones in the attacks.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Preserving income, insurance and retirement Financial security also depends on preserving income and protecting loved ones.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
From there, choose from any of the preferred payment methods and make a cash deposit.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The Federal Reserve estimates tariffs are contributing five-tenths or six-tenths to the core personal consumption expenditures price index, the central bank's preferred measure of inflation, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said last week.—
Courtney Reagan,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This fuels resentment toward India and mistrust of the United States, catalysts for the kind of violent popular overthrow that has marked the subcontinent in recent years.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The silky maxidress was wholly evocative of the holiday season, with a vibrant color that referenced popular shades of green and red often associated with the Christmas holiday.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The last of those darts was fired (initially on X) by Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, who is a resistance darling of the moment after forcing through new, Democrat-friendly congressional maps in his state last week.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
-
And Jorge Drexler is a Latin Grammy darling, so this is very possible here.—
Leila Cobo,
Billboard,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There are love letters to the dead in Lasky’s life interwoven into these essays, including to her father (a judge who died, slowly, from Alzheimer’s), her artist mother, her dog Lucy, beloved poet friends, Mayer herself.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The set was comprised of songs from across the beloved group’s discography, including The Bends (1995), OK Computer (1997), Kid A (2000), Amnesiac (2001), Hail to the Thief (2003), In Rainbows (2007), The King of Limbs (2011) and A Moon Shaped Pool (2016).—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The selected cohort—Diamond Batiste, Ciara Boniface, Jeremy Hsing, Alejandra López and Brittany Alexia Young—were chosen from nearly 1,000 submissions, placing them at the forefront of a new chapter in cinematic storytelling.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The selected resident will receive a year-long immersive experience, both living and working at Trilith while developing their original project with the guidance of industry professionals.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Limousines full of fashionable people would pull up to clubs called The Carousel, The Playpen, and The Pussycat Lounge.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Setting the tone for what is sure to be a fashionable affair, the carpet brought out our most sartorial savvy faves across industries for a night celebrating craftsmanship and design.—
Cierra Black,
Refinery29,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
George's only preference would be for the team to pick up more wins.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Those who didn’t love this one said their preference is to not have the whole fruit pieces.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Favorite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favorite. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share