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
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
But beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy was a special person and a dear and loyal friend.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2024
Somehow the ethereal little dears were inapprehensible without words.
—Tom Wolfe, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dear
Adjective
Our dear friends Hank and Bridget have been married for more than 35 years.
—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.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for dear
Adjective
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Pisol Butter Dish This butter dish has proven to be one of my most valuable fridge accessories yet.—
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There’s nothing a crisp white button-up can’t do ( wear it as a beach cover-up, office blouse, cozy layer, or casual throw-on)—making this buy extra valuable at 57 percent off.—
Adjective
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There is so much pleasure to be had in rereading old favorites—and part of the joy is meeting beloved characters, who have been updated or somehow arrive in a new form to resist old tropes and types.—
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Due to the notoriety of the locally beloved sandwich, IndyStar recently held a Tenderloin Tournament to find the establishment that serves the best tenderloin in Indiana.—
Adjective
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Some of my favorites include these knee-high black suede boots that would look sleek worn with a midi skirt or dress and an adorable pair of Ugg olive-green rain boots that come with a removable wool sock.—
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This adorable $20 dish towel features the fan-favorite Courtly Check pattern and a bold bee design that are bound to make a statement in your kitchen.—
Noun
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Two charming Victorian-style houses are the perfect spot for your salt and pepper; each features a darling pink roof and delicate floral details.—
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National and international media soon followed suit, making Plichta a darling of the left.—
Adjective
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As for the least expensive month, September tends to be the cheapest time to visit, along with August.—
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Traditional humanoid robots depend heavily on data collected by human operators, which is slow and expensive.—
Adjective
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The man says his loved one was pro-government.—
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Families with loved ones in prison gathered for a third consecutive day Saturday outside prisons in Caracas and other communities, hoping to learn of a possible release.—
Adjective
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In a now-viral TikTok, Shelby Wold, a 32-year-old mom of two, shared her daughter Lenna's sweet reaction to the first kiss she's ever received from her 2-year-old brother Theo.—
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And as a kiss on this bridge would have been nice, the kiss a year later was so much sweeter.—
Noun
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Ojeh — her college sweetheart, a lifelong athlete and father to their three children, son Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr, both 13 — was just 45.—
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Epstein was convicted in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution in Florida, but served only 13 months in custody in what was considered a sweetheart plea deal that saved him a potential life sentence.—
Cite this Entry
“Dear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dear. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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