golden boy
The anointed one
A golden boy is a young man who is exceptionally successful, talented, or favored—someone who seems to excel effortlessly and receives praise and admiration: He was the golden boy of Wall Street until the scandal broke.
The term often carries a hint of envy or resentment, suggesting the person enjoys advantages others don't.
A golden boy's status can be precarious; the label implies expectations that may prove difficult to sustain.
Favorable outcome attained
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- winnerOne who prevails
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- achieverOne who accomplishes goals
high-flyer · overachiever · valedictorian · prodigy · wunderkind · whiz kid · rising star · phenom
Beloved person or pet
- petDomesticated household companion
- favoriteMost liked option
- preferredChosen above alternatives
- cherishedHeld dear, prized
favored · teacher's pet · chosen one · fair-haired · anointed · privileged · special treatment · nepotism
One admired for courage
- idolObject of worship
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- starLuminous astronomical object
- role modelPerson others emulate
paragon · legend · inspiration · beloved · respected · esteemed · acclaimed · honored
Beliefs about future outcomes
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
- performance anxietyFear of public execution
stress · burden · standards · perfectionism · burnout · fall from grace · backlash · criticism
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- green-eyedMarked by envy
- begrudgeEnvy or give unwillingly
spite · bitterness · covetousness · comparison · competitiveness · sibling rivalry · discontent · inferiority
success
Favorable outcome attained
achiever · high-flyer · overachiever · valedictorian · prodigy · wunderkind · whiz kid · rising star · phenom · virtuoso
darling
Beloved person or pet
cherished · favored · teacher's pet · chosen one · fair-haired · anointed · privileged · special treatment · nepotism · bias
hero
One admired for courage
role model · paragon · legend · inspiration · beloved · respected · esteemed · acclaimed · honored · praised
expectations
Beliefs about future outcomes
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
performance anxiety · stress · burden · standards · perfectionism · burnout · fall from grace · backlash · criticism · resentment
jealousy
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- green-eyedMarked by envy
begrudge · spite · bitterness · covetousness · comparison · competitiveness · sibling rivalry · discontent · inferiority · overshadowed
- Color Idiomsblack sheep, blue moon, green light, red flag, white lie
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- rising starsrising star, up-and-comer, newcomer, breakout star, prospect
- cool kidspopular kids, trendsetters, influencers, queen bee, social butterfly
- AmericanaAmerican flag, Fourth of July, bald eagle, Thanksgiving, apple pie
- boyslad, laddie, son, youngster, youth
golden boyblack sheep
Disreputable family member
pariah · outcast · scapegoat · whipping boy · underdog
golden boyvillain
Wicked story antagonist
bad apple · bad boy · enfant terrible · troublemaker · disgrace
boy, golden, goldfish, gild, gilded, gilding, goldenrod, goldsmith, goldsmiths