1
as in valuable
commanding a large price
caviar has always been among the dearest of foods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention
spared no expense when caring for and feeding her dear little dog
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adorable
having qualities that tend to make one loved
a dear friend that I would do anything for
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in darling
a person with whom one is in love
I love you, dear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dear
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
The other was a Firing Line debate in 1978 regarding the Panama Canal treaties, with Buckley debating his dear friend Ronald Reagan.
—Doug Ducey, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2024
Advertisement The ad did little good for his daughter in a deep-red state that once held the Cheney family dear but is now thoroughly in Trump’s corner.
—Mead Gruver, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dear
Adjective
More significantly, the vengeful felon-in-chief has sent a clear-cut message: Oppose his heedless, plainly unconstitutional actions in court — one of the only avenues left to fight Trump’s creeping authoritarianism — and there will be a dear price to pay.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
The other was a Firing Line debate in 1978 regarding the Panama Canal treaties, with Buckley debating his dear friend Ronald Reagan.
—Doug Ducey, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
At a recent event raising money for the Men Wear Pink campaign and for the Cincinnati Friars Club, another charity dear to Altenau's heart, the ambassadors climbed on stage and sang her a song.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2024
Advertisement The ad did little good for his daughter in a deep-red state that once held the Cheney family dear but is now thoroughly in Trump’s corner.
—Mead Gruver, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dear
Adjective
-
Senior executives are now shouldering more direct reports, managing tasks once owned by middle managers, and losing valuable time for strategic thinking.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Years before, scientists funded by industry scouted the seabed there, discovering both valuable minerals and new forms of life.—
Christian Elliott,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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From tender beef brisket to succulent pork spare ribs, barbecue is a beloved staple of American cuisine and culture.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The show had a brief run Off Broadway in 1996, then lived on with a miniature national tour and a beloved cast recording.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The PJs are available in five styles overall, including an adorable strawberry print and striped pattern.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Maxim, 'The Legend of Ochi' (2025) Wielding shoddy armor and sword, Dafoe brings a goofy but tender spirit to a blowhard dad who leads a group of local boys to hunt and fear mythic (and adorable) creatures known as the Ochi.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
At that point, the band had already transitioned from country stars to crossover darlings, racking up several of pop radio wins.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Derik Queen This year’s March Madness darling continues rising in mock drafts.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Critics dismissed it as expensive and unnecessary, arguing that students could read a guide or browse online forums for free.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Mandatory spending—like those entitlement programs—is much more expensive than discretionary spending.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Delicately sweet figs balance the tang and sour bite of balsamic vinegar.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The cocktail consists of vanilla vodka, cherry brandy, sweet vermouth and a splash of Canada Dry.—
Dana Rose Falcone,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The pair welcomed their first child, Stefan Djokovic, in 2014 before the trio became a family of four in 2017 with the birth of their daughter, Tara Djokovic. 27 of 29 Alex & Lisa Gaskarth All Time Low’s frontman Alex Gaskarth wed his high school sweetheart, Lisa, in 2016 after 12 years together.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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One of the most talked about K-dramas so far this year is Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines, a moving, intergenerational family saga that follows the trials and triumphs of Oh Ae-sun and her devoted childhood sweetheart Yang Gwan-sik from the 1960s to present-day South Korea.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This one gives a result in under three seconds, allowing the oven or grill door to be quickly closed again without much precious heat escaping.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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The precious metal is now up nearly 29% in the year so far.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dear. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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