1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance a good and generous friend who is always doing favors for others
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2
as in respect
a feeling of great approval and liking entertainers often learn that the favor of the public can be fickle indeed
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3
as in approval
an acceptance of something as satisfactory over the years that kind of movie fell out of favor with the mass audience
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4
as in bias
an attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities although his own son is on the hockey team that he coaches, Mr. Watkins conscientiously avoids any show of favor
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5
as in liking
positive regard for something was willing to do just about anything to keep the boss's favor
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6
as in popularity
the state of enjoying widespread approval after that rock band fell out of favor—almost overnight—the stores couldn't give their CDs away
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1
as in to appease
to do a service or favor for although she was at the party as a guest, the singer favored us with a song
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2
as in to accept
to have a favorable opinion of if this measure will reduce our property taxes, then I favor it
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3
as in to prefer
to show partiality toward older moviegoers tend to favor films that have certain extras—like a plot and developed characters
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4
as in to gift
to furnish freely or naturally with some power, quality, or attribute favored with good looks
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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 favor
Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026 Flouting Fair Districts, Florida’s new congressional map is rigged in Republicans’ favor, denying millions of voters the opportunity to elect someone of their choice. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Allen said this park is one that is favored by the Department of Natural Resources because the lake is stocked with fish. —Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for favor
Noun
Minnesota’s moment is a case study in how an ecosystem, a city or even a single startup can begin molding a narrative in their favor. —Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026 Flouting Fair Districts, Florida’s new congressional map is rigged in Republicans’ favor, denying millions of voters the opportunity to elect someone of their choice. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Christian Petersen / Getty Images The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t pull off a sweep on Sunday, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are heavily favored to do so on Monday. —Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Allen said this park is one that is favored by the Department of Natural Resources because the lake is stocked with fish. —Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for favor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favor
Noun
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If the several buildings the report says Taxpayer 1 was delinquent on taxes included, say, a bar or ramshackle eyesores, that will look like something other than Stewart extending kindness to a stranger.— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
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Harding defines kindness as an act of generosity expecting nothing in return.— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Though an unabashedly liberal Democrat, Hart commanded respect from lawmakers of both parties for his intellect, decency and grit.— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
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Her growing respect and affection for Valerie has been one of the season’s bright spots, particularly with Mickey gone.— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The position requires approval from the Senate and comes with an ambassador title.— Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
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Russia’s reopening of its national pavilion—with the approval of Venice Biennale director Pietrangelo Buttafuoco—has sparked acrimony across the European art world and political sphere.— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That proposal made national headlines and led to months of reckoning with racial bias after a Center School parent was caught on a hot mic during a remote school board meeting.— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
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Providers also can fall victim to inadvertent bias, assuming a young, otherwise healthy patient must be dealing with something other than shingles.— Alyssa Sparacino, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Quesadillas, nachos and salads are also on the menu and can be customized to your liking.— Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
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The project is one more makeover refashioning the nation’s capital to Trump’s liking, following others such as the demolition of the White House's East Wing to make room for a new ballroom.— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The landmark case is the first time the justices will consider whether the controversial practice of digital dragnets, which have grown in popularity among law enforcement with advances in technology, violate constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.— Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
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In response to the recent popularity of matching sets, the pendulum is now swinging back the other way to favor more whimsical, unique outfits.— Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Of course, artists make choices in biographical shows for a whole variety of reasons, whether in service of the storytelling, to appease those who would prefer to remain anonymous or even self-protection.— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
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This year, the dinner also comes amid the backdrop of major major media companies staying silent or trying to appease the administration.— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead of simply accepting defeat, the United States upscales its ambitions to establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface.— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 May 2026
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Prosecutors also alleged that, in return for that pressure campaign, Diamantis accepted $95,000 in bribes from Helen Zervas, an optometrist, and her fiancé, former state Democratic lawmaker Christopher Ziogas.— Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Favor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/favor. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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