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dear

[deer] / dɪər /




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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If I had, I would have said: Jared and Steve are trusted members of the president’s team and very dear friends.

From Slate Jul. 22, 2026

Sara and I grieve with the American people over the loss of our dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham.

From Salon Jul. 12, 2026

My dear friend Valerie Chu, who’s one of our writers, is being recognized.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 8, 2026

But every time the hulking Haaland blazed toward the goal, with a pair of defenders hanging onto him for dear life, the stadium full of Brazilian supporters held its breath, for one simple reason.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 5, 2026

My dear, war is upon us, and your mischief is most dangerous.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

“We didn’t keep that,” she said, “but I loved learning what Lydia would do if she could. ‘Eyes forward dears, we are not sitting comfortably in a class room.’”

From Los Angeles Times May 13, 2025

I would think to myself, Oh, my dears, if you could only see who you are speaking to and how hard they work.

From Slate Apr. 4, 2024

He helped a few old dears over the threshold, didn't he?'

From BBC Aug. 23, 2023

Poor dears, that must have been so unspeakably horrid for them.

From The Guardian Jun. 6, 2018

“And we, my dears, everything we are and ever will be are just a twinkle in her eye,” Chacko said grandly, lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

But the money would not go far, he said, as costs have gone up and "everything has gone dearer".

From BBC Jul. 20, 2026

In the Hungarian countryside, activism often comes at a price, some dearer than others, as campaigners in Jaszfenyszaru can attest.

From Barron's Apr. 3, 2026

“The freedom I had before the money was paid was dearer to me,” Ms. Jacobs wrote.

From New York Times Jul. 28, 2023

“She will be dearer than my children because she will keep the memory alive of her father, mother and siblings.”

From Seattle Times Feb. 20, 2023

I write to you, encompassed by peril and ignorant whether I am ever doomed to see again dear England and the dearer friends that inhabit it.

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Even the non-thriller themes — female friendship, aging, ageism, admitting the truth about oneself to oneself and one’s dearest, the invigorating effects of danger — are explicitly expressed.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 15, 2026

Your nearest and dearest may be aware you do it, but you don’t discuss it with strangers.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 12, 2026

Singer-songwriter Kate Bush also paid tribute to one of her "very dearest friends" who she had known for 30 years.

From BBC Jan. 21, 2026

As long as you and your wife have enough set aside for retirement, keep living the dream and passing it along to your nearest and dearest.

From MarketWatch Jan. 8, 2026

“My dearest child,” she cried, “I can think of nothing else! Ten thousand a year, and very likely more! ’Tis as good as a Lord!

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen




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