dear 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdir How to pronounce dear (audio)
Definition of dearnext
1
as in valuable
commanding a large price caviar has always been among the dearest of foods

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

dear

2 of 2

noun

as in darling
a person with whom one is in love I love you, dear

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 dear
Adjective
To Republican lawmakers, pointing this out is character assassination, an attempt to cancel poor Mickey and all who hold him dear. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026 But don’t worry, dear reader, Coughlan will not disappear completely from the popular Netflix series, set to be released next year. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
Early on, Leonardo Spinazzola made a mistake similar to the one Billy Gilmour committed last week, one that cost Napoli dear against Torino. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025 Decked out for the holidays While the angel ornaments sit in a glass case, Donna holds two ornaments on the dining room Christmas tree dear. — Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for dear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dear
  1. valuable
  2. beloved
  3. adorable
  4. darling
  5. expensive
  6. loved
  7. sweet
  8. sweetheart
Adjective
  • The simple way to think about this product is a closer integration between Salesforce's library of customers' valuable data and the capabilities of the Claude model.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The term describes how one’s actions have side effects that might be more valuable than the actions themselves, like a bee pollinating the world’s flowers while making honey for its hive.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of valuable
Adjective
  • The rollout that led up to it offers a useful case study in how to reintroduce a dormant but beloved act without leaning on nostalgia alone.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The crowd stood and shared in the moving moment, bidding a beloved star farewell.
    — Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of beloved
Adjective
  • At this point in the operation, even formerly adorable homes begin to look hideous.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, that love is small, furry, ridiculously adorable, and in need of a loving home.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of adorable
Noun
  • The company adds some 30 to 60 movies to its catalog annually, most of them lost gems of world cinema, festival-circuit darlings, or old Hollywood hits.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Small Prophets follows Quigley as the eccentric Michael Sleep (Quigley), an ordinary man who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has worked in a DIY store, while visiting his elderly dad Brian (Palin) and hoping for Clea to return.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • But when shovels become too expensive, the miners start forging their own.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • West Virginia is the least expensive state, with an income of $81,245 for a single adult and $202,592 for a family of four.
    — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of expensive
Adjective
  • After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • No details about the funeral service have yet been released, though TMZ reported that her family is planning a small ceremony in Nashville for her closest family and loved ones.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of loved
Adjective
  • The rich chocolate and salty sweet bacon combo as well as the fluffy peanut butter mousse is what sets this dish apart from other s’mores.
    — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Kelce caught a pass from rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, then had a sweet cutback move that made Seattle cornerback Trevon Diggs miss.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweet
Noun
  • Somewhere in the city is his former high school sweetheart, Dallas Bryan (Agudong), who is building her new career, chasing her dreams, and not looking back.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • America’s sweetheart Dolly Parton sadly died on Tuesday, August 25, at age 80.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweetheart

Browse Nearby Words

deanships
dear
dears
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Cite this Entry

“Dear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dear. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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