Synonyms

favored

American

[fey-verd] / ˈfeɪ vərd /

adjective

regarded or treated with preference or partiality.

Her beauty made her the favored child.
enjoying special advantages; privileged.

to be born into the favored classes.
of specified appearance (usually used in combination).

ill-favored.

Other Word Forms

favoredly adverb
favoredness noun
nonfavored adjective
unfavored adjective

Etymology

Origin of favored

First recorded in 1350–1400, favored is from the Middle English word favo(u)red. See favor, -ed ²

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.

One possibility is that the companies could be split up, an outcome favored by critics.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Other nations historically have favored tariffs, but in the early 2000s, the United States worked on “dragging these other countries into this more pro-free-trade dynamic,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Years ago, Beijing identified solar power and EVs as strategic sectors, prompting local governments to pour money into favored industries and creating cutthroat competition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

"I love having the livestream available, and I also think it's cool that they use Twitch," Roethler said, referring to a video streamer site favored by gamers.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

She was sure Glenn favored the wrong foot.

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023