as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention
she had been the teacher's fair-haired pupil—the one who could do no wrong
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Recent Examples of fair-haired
The proud Westeros family of dragonlords have always been intent on making things bend to their (fair-haired, dragon-loving) will, even when the chips were down.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026
Amanda was feline and fair-haired; Emerald had the large eyes, thick black eyebrows, and neotenous features of an anime hero.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Unlike the legend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet — whose rejection by the Prince of Denmark sparks her unraveling — this fair-haired singing socialite will not be losing the plot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Initially, instrumental music is playing, but once the band dies down, a fair-haired youth starts singing, countertenor-like.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 27 July 2025
Legend has it that in 1327, Petrarch caught sight of a fair-haired, married woman named Laura in the church of Saint-Claire and fell head over heels, inspiring ardent daily writings of passion, anguish and ultimately despair.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Pavan was two months shy of 18, fair-haired and lanky.
—Mari Saito, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Emma has been some fabulous version of blonde for quite some time now, interrupting her fair-haired streak with the occasional brunette detour.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026
Amanda was feline and fair-haired; Emerald had the large eyes, thick black eyebrows, and neotenous features of an anime hero.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Unlike the legend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet — whose rejection by the Prince of Denmark sparks her unraveling — this fair-haired singing socialite will not be losing the plot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Initially, instrumental music is playing, but once the band dies down, a fair-haired youth starts singing, countertenor-like.
—Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 27 July 2025
Legend has it that in 1327, Petrarch caught sight of a fair-haired, married woman named Laura in the church of Saint-Claire and fell head over heels, inspiring ardent daily writings of passion, anguish and ultimately despair.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Pavan was two months shy of 18, fair-haired and lanky.
—Mari Saito, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Emma has been some fabulous version of blonde for quite some time now, interrupting her fair-haired streak with the occasional brunette detour.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fair-haired
Adjective
-
In New York City, Kathy Griffin poses with her beloved dogs, and Nick Jonas keeps it casual in a leather jacket and hoodie.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Michael’s commercial reception may seem to show the futility of trying to litigate truth regarding someone as once-beloved as its subject.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to background information shared with press, the Aleutian Lady was equipped with cameras at the time of the incident, but it will not be shown on the show out of respect for his family and loved ones.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The residences were born out of necessity but have become cherished events for the thousands in the band’s cult.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Elderly residents face physical obstacles like climbing stairs in buildings without working elevators, while discovering cherished items destroyed or missing.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Russia has been grabbing Mali’s precious minerals, including gold, in return for promising to protect the country against the rebels.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Embrace Timeworn Imperfections Nothing is too precious for daily use in a French home.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Another of White’s signature touches is his habit of repeatedly working with favorite actors.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Host a dinner, invite your favorite people over, and let your space become the destination.—
Steph Koyfman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This sweet barrier island promises shimmering beaches, towering dunes, peaceful bike paths, kayak-ready waterways, and a darling historic downtown.—
Anne Olivia Bauso,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Stetson and Samuel -- my darling young men -- were sitting at the table, shoving and pulling one another in equally groggy measure.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos' daughter Elliott posed for a sweet shot with her dad before heading off to prom on June 2, 2021.—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Use dark or bittersweet chocolate for a more intense, less sweet chocolaty finish.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
From then on, the storytelling goes slack and perfunctory as sharks swarm and chomp on passengers and crew clinging for dear lives on rafts or slabs of plane wreckage.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Mark Mardini became a dear friend.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fair-haired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fair-haired. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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