preferred; preferring
1
: to promote or advance to a rank or position
2
: to like better or best
prefers sports to reading
prefers to watch TV
3
: to give (a creditor) priority
4
archaic
: to put or set forward or before someone : recommend
5
: to bring or lay against someone
won't prefer charges
6
: to bring forward or lay before one for consideration
preferrer
noun
Examples of prefer in a Sentence
Some people like vanilla ice cream, but I prefer chocolate.
She tends to prefer small college campuses.
I prefer this dictionary because of its helpful examples.
Which one is the preferred alternative?
What is the preferred pronunciation of her name?
Recent Examples on the Web
This can be a good option for investors who prefer the public accountability of a federally regulated institution.
—
Kelly Ernst, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Radium Kagaya has private rooms for those who prefer not to be nude in front of strangers to rent in 90-minute increments, as well as public baths.
—Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026
Some people, especially those who love dark colors, prefer winter attire, what with all the cable knit, cashmere, and wool sweaters out there, and those often comes in navies, charcoals, blacks, and burgundies.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
Splenda can be appropriate when preferred for taste or function.
—Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prefer
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Kelly Ernst, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Radium Kagaya has private rooms for those who prefer not to be nude in front of strangers to rent in 90-minute increments, as well as public baths.
—Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026
Some people, especially those who love dark colors, prefer winter attire, what with all the cable knit, cashmere, and wool sweaters out there, and those often comes in navies, charcoals, blacks, and burgundies.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
Splenda can be appropriate when preferred for taste or function.
—Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prefer
Cite this Entry
“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefer. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prefer
verb
pre·fer
pri-ˈfər 
preferred; preferring
1
: to choose or like better than another
prefer dark clothes
2
: to present for action or consideration
prefer charges against a thief
Legal Definition
prefer
transitive verb
pre·fer
pri-ˈfər
preferred; preferring
1
: to give (a creditor or debt) priority or preference
any preferred charges such as child support or alimony—In re Smiley, 427 P.2d 179 (1967)
In re Smiley, 427 P.2d 179 (1967)2
: to bring forward for determination
especially
: to bring (a charge) against someone
the various means by which a grand jury might prefer charges —State v. Byrd, 399 S.E.2d 267 (1990)
State v. Byrd, 399 S.E.2d 267 (1990) Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
