1
as in favorites
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sweethearts
a person with whom one is in love
anything you say, darling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darlings
The Bulls were the early-season darlings of the Group of Five, thanks to back-to-back upsets over Boise State and Florida.
—
Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
More Patrick McDermott/Getty Images The Packers, who had been the darlings of the national media last summer after coming within minutes of an NFC Championship Game appearance the previous season, lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Over the past 20 years of Black List darlings and Edgar Wright rip-offs, the American film industry has established a new archetype of cinema filled with quippy antiheroes, gory allegories for domestic strife, and character actors rattling off reference humor.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
The group included darlings of the far right, the left, moderates and many in between.
—Leah Askarinam, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Software businesses that have been darlings of tech in past years are at risk of falling out of fashion with investors while AI models continue to develop and get better at writing code.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
Now, after a rash of injuries, the preseason darlings are in danger of falling out of playoff contention.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Unlike most iris, these darlings grow from a bulb, not a rhizome.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Wide receiver Traeshon Holden has been one of the training camp darlings with his electric catches and smooth route-running ability.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025
Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
More Patrick McDermott/Getty Images The Packers, who had been the darlings of the national media last summer after coming within minutes of an NFC Championship Game appearance the previous season, lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Over the past 20 years of Black List darlings and Edgar Wright rip-offs, the American film industry has established a new archetype of cinema filled with quippy antiheroes, gory allegories for domestic strife, and character actors rattling off reference humor.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
The group included darlings of the far right, the left, moderates and many in between.
—Leah Askarinam, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Software businesses that have been darlings of tech in past years are at risk of falling out of fashion with investors while AI models continue to develop and get better at writing code.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
Now, after a rash of injuries, the preseason darlings are in danger of falling out of playoff contention.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Unlike most iris, these darlings grow from a bulb, not a rhizome.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Wide receiver Traeshon Holden has been one of the training camp darlings with his electric catches and smooth route-running ability.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darlings
Noun
-
What two letters are favorites of pirates?—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Despite Alfred and Jefferson-Wooden being the clear favorites for gold in the 100-meter dash, there are a few others besides Fraser-Pryce who could spoil the party.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Akl and Hasan Akil (Memory Box) star as childhood sweethearts Yasmina and Nino, who lose sight of one another to reunite in their late 20s, with their relationship developing in step with the tumultuous history of Lebanon.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
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The high school sweethearts got married in 2014 and welcomed their son, Stefan, in October of that same year.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There is, actually, another category of nail lovers that has emerged in recent years, and those are people who swear by temporary press-ons.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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The collection features hoodies, tees, jackets, and hats, all combining NFL branding with BXR aesthetics, making for something that appeals both to sports super‑fans and streetwear lovers alike.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Darlings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darlings. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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