golden child
Family's prized one
A golden child is a family member, often a sibling, who receives disproportionate praise, attention, or favoritism: My brother was always the golden child—he could do no wrong.
The term often carries resentment, implying others are unfairly overlooked.
More broadly, any person or project treated as a favorite: The startup was the investor's golden child.
Remarkably talented youngster
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
- giftedGiven as present
- talentedHaving natural ability
- precociousDeveloped before typical age
whiz kid · virtuoso · overachiever · star pupil · valedictorian · honor student · high achiever · savant
One who is treasured
- adoredIntensely cherished
- treasuredRegarded with deep affection
- preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
- prizedGreatly valued or esteemed
valued · dear · loved · esteemed · revered · celebrated · honored · nurtured
Competition between children sharing parents
- comparisonAssessment of similarities
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
family dynamics · dysfunction · black sheep · competition · enabler · triangulation
Having special advantages
- pamperedLavished with indulgence
- favoriteMost liked option
- preferredChosen above alternatives
- darlingBeloved person or pet
pet · apple of the eye · blue-eyed · spoiled · coddled · indulged · special · chosen
One who accomplishes goals
- winnerOne who prevails
- starLuminous astronomical object
- superstarExceptionally famous performer
- top performerHighest-achieving individual
ideal · exemplar · paragon · role model · standard-bearer · benchmark · overperformer
wunderkind
Remarkably talented youngster
precocious · whiz kid · virtuoso · overachiever · star pupil · valedictorian · honor student · high achiever · savant · brilliant
beloved
One who is treasured
- adoredIntensely cherished
- treasuredRegarded with deep affection
- preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
prized · valued · dear · loved · esteemed · revered · celebrated · honored · nurtured · cared-for
sibling rivalry
Competition between children sharing parents
- comparisonAssessment of similarities
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
favoritism · family dynamics · dysfunction · black sheep · competition · enabler · triangulation
privileged
Having special advantages
darling · pet · apple of the eye · blue-eyed · spoiled · coddled · indulged · special · chosen · anointed
achiever
One who accomplishes goals
top performer · ideal · exemplar · paragon · role model · standard-bearer · benchmark · overperformer
- family dynamicsfamily dynamics, family roles, family therapy, sibling rivalry, parenting
- achieversachiever, high achiever, overachiever, go-getter, striver
- family dramafamily bonds, sibling rivalry, family reunion, kinship, family secret
- informal rolesleader, follower, peacemaker, troublemaker, mediator
- rising starsrising star, up-and-comer, newcomer, breakout star, prospect
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
golden childscapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
black sheep · problem child · whipping boy · lost child · troublemaker
golden childpariah
Rejected, shunned person
outcast · persona non grata · underdog · reject · bottom of the barrel
golden childlost cause
Endeavor certain to fail
hopeless case · failure · ne'er-do-well · good-for-nothing · family shame