dearest

ADJECTIVE

beloved

Synonyms

STRONGEST

admired cherished dear esteemed favorite hallowed loved popular prized respected revered treasured venerated well-liked

STRONG

darling pet pleasing sweet

WEAK

cared for doted on endeared fair-haired highly regarded highly valued idolized near to one's heart precious worshiped

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disliked

WEAK

despised hated

ADJECTIVE

favorite

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beloved cherished favored main popular prized treasured

STRONG

choice darling dear intimate personal pet sweetheart

WEAK

admired adored best-loved desired especial esteemed liked number one pleasant precious revered wished-for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disliked unpopular

STRONG

public

WEAK

hated loathed

ADJECTIVE

intimate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affectionate confidential cozy loving warm

STRONG

bosom cherished close dear faithful fast mellow mix near nice regular roommate snug

WEAK

buddy-buddy chummy clubby comfy fond nearest next

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cold cool disliking

STRONG

away far imprecise inaccurate loose

WEAK

formal incompatible public unfriendly

ADJECTIVE

pet

Synonyms

STRONG

cherished darling dear endearing favored loved preferred special

WEAK

affectionate precious

Antonyms

STRONG

common

WEAK

disfavored hated

ADJECTIVE

precious

Synonyms

WEAK

adored beloved cherished darling dear idolized inestimable loved pet prized treasured

Antonyms

WEAK

cheap common defective deficient disfavored impaired inexpensive useless valueless worthless

ADJECTIVE

sweet

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appealing beautiful charming delightful engaging generous gentle lovable loving luscious mild mushy pleasant pleasing tender

STRONG

beloved darling dear fair patient pet taking winning

WEAK

affectionate agreeable amiable angelic attractive cherished companionable considerate delectable dulcet good-humored good-natured reasonable saccharine sweet-tempered sympathetic thoughtful treasured unselfish winsome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disagreeable hard harsh hateful horrible mean nasty offensive unfeeling unkind unpleasant

WEAK

unfriendly

NOUN

apple of one's eye

Synonyms

WEAK

angel beloved darling fair-haired boy favorite honey light of one's life loved one object of one's affections pet sweetheart the pet treasure

NOUN

beloved

Synonyms

STRONG

baby beau boyfriend darling dear flame girlfriend heartthrob honey idol inamorato love lover pet steady sugar sweetheart treasure

WEAK

fiancé fiancée first and last love of my life number one numero uno object of affection one and only significant other tootsie truelove

NOUN

darling

Synonyms

STRONG

angel baby beloved boyfriend dear dearie flame friend girlfriend love lover pet sugar sweetie treasure truelove

WEAK

apple of one's eye dear one fair-haired boy heart's desire honeybunch light of my life one and only precious

NOUN

lady's man

Synonyms

STRONG

lover

WEAK

Casanova Don Juan Lothario Romeo admirer beau beloved boyfriend companion courter darling dear escort flame idolizer inamorato infatuate paramour petitioner suitor suppliant swain sweetheart truelove valentine wooer

NOUN

love

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lover passion

STRONG

Romeo admirer angel beau beloved boyfriend darling dear flame girlfriend honey inamorata inamorato paramour spark suitor swain sweet sweetheart truelove valentine

WEAK

Juliet courter dear one loved one

NOUN

lover

Synonyms

STRONGEST

admirer boyfriend companion girlfriend suitor sweetheart

STRONG

Romeo beau beloved darling dear escort flame idolizer inamorata inamorato paramour petitioner steady suppliant swain truelove valentine wooer

WEAK

Juliet courter fiancé fiancée infatuate sancho

Antonyms

STRONG

celibate cuckold

NOUN

pick of the litter

Synonyms

WEAK

apple of one's eye champion choice cream cream of the crop crème de la crème darling favorite lap dog pet preference prime prize the best the top of the heap

NOUN

sweetie

Synonyms

STRONGEST

sweetheart

STRONG

angel baby beloved boyfriend dear dearie flame friend girlfriend honey love lover pet sugar sweet treasure truelove

WEAK

apple of one's eye dear one fair-haired boy heart's desire honeybunch light of my life light of one's life one and only precious

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.

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

Ms Bush said Matthew Upham, a local antiques dealer, was one of her "very dearest friends" who she had known for 30 years.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

By then police had arrested dozens of pro-democracy figures, including many of “my dearest friends and colleagues,” she says, and she noticed what looked like a police vehicle loitering outside her home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Dress up a space for your dearest friends.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2025

Good-bye, my dearest Lucy, and all blessings on you.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

dearest

Example Sentences

Related Words