darling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of darlingnext
1
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention they poured gifts and affection on their darling child

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in delightful
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses what a darling set of dishes!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

darling

2 of 2

noun

ˈdär-liŋ How to pronounce darling (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sweetheart
a person with whom one is in love anything you say, darling

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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
Adjective
Take a look at the rest of our picks for more darling dresses for summer, all from Amazon. — Dena Ogden, Southern Living, 22 June 2026 The show is part variety spectacular, part cabaret, part magic show, but always exceptionally darling. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Noun
Nvidia — The artificial intelligence darling rose 4% after beating expectations on both lines in the second quarter and reporting that revenue more than doubled. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 And Lux Pascal, younger sister of Pedro, has become a bona fide fashion darling, thanks in part to her association with Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel. — Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for darling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darling
  1. loved
  2. adorable
  3. delightful
  4. favorite
  5. sweetheart
  6. beloved
  7. dear
  8. sweet
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
  • At this point in the operation, even formerly adorable homes begin to look hideous.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, that love is small, furry, ridiculously adorable, and in need of a loving home.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of adorable
Adjective
  • The delightful bonus is how the triangular craft sits nicely in a corner.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In place of analysis, The Surrealist Menagerie provides a panoply of alternately delightful and disturbing creatures, generating unexpected pairings through its focus on the animal.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of delightful
Noun
  • The customer favorite is forged from iron, polypropylene, and wood, and provides a haven from wind, rain, and sun.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The sound of the new album is lush and emotional, which Louris sees as an echo of the pop melodies of an earlier record, 1997’s Sound of Lies, a longtime fan favorite.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of favorite
Noun
  • For that event, Hailey wore a black column dress with jeweled and beaded embellishments on the sweetheart bodice.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The one person who never wanted to be seen with Dolly in public, astonishingly, was her husband of 59 years and childhood sweetheart, Carl Dean.
    — Tania Bryer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweetheart
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
  • Javier, Marion, Anna, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, and our dear heroine Pippa Kelly all possess a true magic which has transformed our epic.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Dolly Parton’s dearest family and friends gathered for a private Nashville funeral, laying the beloved musician to rest, her niece confirmed in an Instagram post.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dear
Adjective
  • The rich chocolate and salty sweet bacon combo as well as the fluffy peanut butter mousse is what sets this dish apart from other s’mores.
    — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Kelce caught a pass from rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, then had a sweet cutback move that made Seattle cornerback Trevon Diggs miss.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweet

Browse Nearby Words

darksome
darling
darlingness
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Cite this Entry

“Darling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darling. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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