1
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention
they poured gifts and affection on their darling child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adorable
having qualities that tend to make one loved
a darling child that any couple would want to adopt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in delightful
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses
what a darling set of dishes!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others
for a while that candidate was the darling of the news media and could do no wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sweetheart
a person with whom one is in love
anything you say, darling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 darling
Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 2 May 2022
While out in London today, Olivia Wilde wore a beanie, red Northface x Gucci puffer coat, spandex, New Balance sneakers, and a darling blue sweatshirt with a cartoon frog and the word Pleasing emblazoned on its chest.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2022
Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Other contenders: Rick Nash to the Rangers, Sergei Bobrovsky to the Blue Jackets, Paul Gaustad being the darling of the deadline for some reason
12.
—Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for darling 
Adjective
Widen your horizons with a red Breton stripe, like this one with a darling bow toe at the back.
—Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 2 May 2022
While out in London today, Olivia Wilde wore a beanie, red Northface x Gucci puffer coat, spandex, New Balance sneakers, and a darling blue sweatshirt with a cartoon frog and the word Pleasing emblazoned on its chest.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2022
Noun
Tesla, once a darling of California electric vehicle buyers, has been taking hits in the Golden State, with sales down 3.5% in the third quarter, according to the state dealers trade group.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Other contenders: Rick Nash to the Rangers, Sergei Bobrovsky to the Blue Jackets, Paul Gaustad being the darling of the deadline for some reason
12.
—Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for darling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darling
Adjective
-
For more upscale elegance, try this adorable Sculpted Bow Stemmed Wine Glass, $18 for two at Urban Outfitters, which are great for bubbly drinks.—
Nora Colomer,
Fox News,
23 Jan. 2025
-
The oddly adorable serial killer thriller featuring a cast of anthropomorphic animals in a Norman Rockwell-ish small town struck the right weird tone in a weird year.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Sitting at the desk, which was outlined by windows on three sides, made answering emails equal parts delightful and distracting.—
Alexandra Cheney,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Jan. 2025
-
In addition to being a delightful romance, Saving Face is also a fantastic rumination on the labyrinthine relationship between mother and daughter.—
Sadie Collins,
Them,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
With more than 59,000 perfect ratings, these headphones are a clear favorite among Amazon shoppers.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Jars of free housemade pickles have become customer favorites as well.—
Benjy Egel,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And especially to be with Erika, his sweetheart since high school.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
-
The professional baseball player, 23, tied the knot with his high school sweetheart Alyssa Kuri on Friday, Jan. 10 at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage in California.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to Barbados, a number of Caribbean countries, including in St. Vincent, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Martinique, have beloved recipes which importantly feature the breadfruit.—
Elaine Savory,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Colors of blue and pink pay homage to Miami Beach’s beloved Art Deco scene.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Too soon to navigate through this grief or to sum up art’s greatest dreamer, as well as my dearest friend.—
Laura Dern,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Turns out that Steve is a dear friend of Rick Gomez [Patrick Kennedy] and Rick and Rebecca completely hit it off in season 1.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Under a glaze of ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and spice, the chicken is tender, sweet, and packed with tang and bite.—
Craig Ruff,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2025
-
But this chocolate cherry manicure is the ultimate sweet treat: classic, glamorous, and a little bit edgy.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
As the candles burn down, Brooke finds her feelings for her stand-in sweetie might just be the real deal.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
19 Dec. 2024
-
Last month, Max dropped a collegiate romcom called Sweethearts, about a pair of freshmen (played by Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga) who vow to drop-kick their high school sweeties over Thanksgiving break.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
6 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near darling
Cite this Entry
“Darling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darling. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share