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
Examples 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 dear
Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 2 Jan. 2025
This exercise brought memories of our dear old dad.
—Bob Pisani, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024
His last letter is from September 1942: My dears, thank you very much for your two letters, September 16th and 24th.
—John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for dear 
Adjective
One of my dearest friends just moved one block away.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 2 Jan. 2025
This exercise brought memories of our dear old dad.
—Bob Pisani, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024
His last letter is from September 1942: My dears, thank you very much for your two letters, September 16th and 24th.
—John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for dear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dear
Adjective
-
Later, high atop a telephone pole, Alyssa retrieves a valuable pair of dangling Jordans off a live electrical wire, to mixed results.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2025
-
Across these diverse career pathways, students are gaining valuable skills, credentials, and real-world experience that will set them up for long-term success.—
Vicki Phillips,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Stepping out in New York on January 11 for the matinee of her Broadway production Our Town, the actor defaulted to her usual chic and cozy fashion formula: her beloved slate grey beanie, and a wool calf-length coat with big black sunglasses.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2025
-
Highsmith over the top: The night began with Highsmith catching as much as possible of his beloved Baltimore Ravens on his phone in the locker room.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Intimate! December 2023: Gomez puts a ring on it (but not that kind of ring) Is there anything more adorable than wearing your partner’s initial on a piece of jewelry?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Later, Trevor climbs on top of Tony to smother him in kisses, followed by an adorable scene in the kitchen where Trevor lies atop Tony once again.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Artificial intelligence darling Nvidia closed at a record high.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
While some basic tools for managing digital accounts after death are free, more advanced services can be expensive.—
Patrick van Esch,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Littell, 29, is the only player who looks to be relatively expensive, projected by mlbtraderumors.com to make $4.8 million.—
Marc Topkin,
Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Big Sick Year: 2017 Runtime: 2h Director: Michael Showalter The wonderful screenwriters Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon basically told their own love story in this sweet and funny rom-com that Amazon picked up after audiences fell for it at Sundance.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Plates heaped with rice and aromatic curries showcase the island’s culinary riches, while orange king coconuts are cracked open and offered as a sweet, refreshing balm to the humid heat.—
Christine Chitnis,
Vogue,
8 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
-
Similarly, streaming companies that got spooked by a moment of softening demand have now lost precious ground in a rapidly consolidating industry.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes,
12 Jan. 2025
-
Nothing looks more precious than a rabbit bunny-hopping toward you across the floor, and petting luxuriously smooth rabbit fur is pure joy.—
Claire Thornton,
USA TODAY,
11 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to dear
Thesaurus Entries Near dear
Cite this Entry
“Dear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dear. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share