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
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
That leaves the newbie, the legends, and the Academy darling.
—Jason Lamphier, EW.com, 1 Feb. 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
The rap star and the indie darling have been cosmically tied over the years, dropping albums within a few weeks of each other multiple times.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
That leaves the newbie, the legends, and the Academy darling.
—Jason Lamphier, EW.com, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for darling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darling
Adjective
-
The attraction welcomed a new litter of the adorable, semi-aquatic animal — the North American River Otter — on Wednesday.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The 63-year-old actor also added three other throwback images of them throughout the years, including an adorable photo of them cuddling in front of the ocean, while another beachside photo included them posing on a cliff overlooking the ocean.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Netflix scored just as big tonight with its delightful and very British Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which ran over The Wild Robot and Flow for Best Animated Feature and also won in the Family/Children’s Film category.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Among my favorites were the Slice of Life feature stories that ran for several years.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Though there are 18 gorgeous colors and patterns to choose from, and our favorite for spring is the classic pink shade.—
Kaitlin Marks,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Order a pre-baked or frozen pie to enjoy at home with your sweetheart.—
Jessica Boehm,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Prior to Off-Broadway, the musical will play Kohler, Wis. on March 6, and Bloomington, Ill. on March 8. Drew and Lea, both 48, were high-school sweethearts.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Molly Shannon Gets Back in Costume as Sally O'Malley (and Does the Kicking and Stretching) 10 hr 24 min ago Molly Shannon helped Emma Stone pay tribute to the history of physical comedy on the series by getting into costume as her beloved Sally O'Malley.—
Lindsay Kimble,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Jake Gyllenhaal is his foil as the perfidious Iago, who goads Othello into unreasoning jealousy with lies about his beloved Desdemona (Molly Osborne).—
New York Times,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Even the natural elements — water, air, earth and fire — want to romp with dear Parthenope.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
-
And, oh, to finish the season among the WNBA’s top five in assists by distributing to her dear friend and former Aces teammate Dearica Hamby, and to the Sparks’ young frontcourt talents, Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Orange County Register,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
While Bleu de Chanel masterfully balances citrus top notes with an amber and creamy base, this takes those latter notes and brings them to life with a sweet and spicy twang.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
11 Feb. 2025
-
That’s sweet and admirable, but does anyone doubt by this point that Sinatra isn’t reading every single text/email/carrier pigeon note sent in Paradise?—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Nearly all sammies are eligible for the deal — just The Beast, 5 Meat Italian and the Garlic Roast Beef aren’t part of the discount — and the promo can be used once per order. Don’t forget about a sweet for your sweetie!—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Especially when there are so many absolute sweeties.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
23 July 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near darling
Cite this Entry
“Darling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darling. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share