1
as in to like
to show partiality toward
I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to choose
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
most buyers of that vehicle have preferred the model with four-wheel drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of prefer
Whatever the facts of the case, the parents would prefer to believe that their daughter had died pursuing an ambitious dream, and that her boyfriend had loved her.
—
William Finnegan,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Across Russia, independent media outlets have been documenting growing lines of vehicles waiting at fuel stations as shortages kick in — scenes the authorities would prefer to hide.
—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
While Americans still prefer text messaging to WhatsApp, the app is widely used in Europe, Asia and much of the rest of the world.
—
Kelvin Chan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Turkestan cockroaches prefer not to live inside your home, but may enter at night in search of food or water.
—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prefer
William Finnegan,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Across Russia, independent media outlets have been documenting growing lines of vehicles waiting at fuel stations as shortages kick in — scenes the authorities would prefer to hide.
—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
While Americans still prefer text messaging to WhatsApp, the app is widely used in Europe, Asia and much of the rest of the world.
—
Kelvin Chan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Turkestan cockroaches prefer not to live inside your home, but may enter at night in search of food or water.
—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prefer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefer
Verb
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But Alonso also likes to offset the industrial nature of concrete with warmth.
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And that’s why Howard Zinn has sold 5 million copies, because teenagers sort of like to be in on something.
Verb
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Old borrowers may need to consolidate loans, choose new repayment plans or risk being involuntarily placed in one that may not fit their budget, loan experts said.
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Design is what decides whether a person can do their best work, find the thread to something larger, and choose without leaving.
Verb
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India’s government, which has long leveraged a hard line on Pakistan for domestic political advantage, enjoyed a rally-around-the-flag effect that gave it a useful boost one year after a worse-than-expected performance in national elections.
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Away from basketball, the two players enjoy plenty of interests.
Verb
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In Buffalo, New York, the 2026 NHL draft action kicked off with the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting Penn State winger Gavin McKenna – a pick most people expected would open the night.
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When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
Verb
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As the World Cup round of 32 gets underway, Vaughn Dalzell and Drew Dinsick look at whom the odds favor among France, Argentina, Spain and England to take home the trophy.
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All of them were aimed at creating new congressional district maps that favor their party.
Verb
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The engaged couple from Orlando, Florida, pick a different city to visit each Fourth of July.
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Bellinger and Schlittler were selected by their fellow players, while Rice was picked by Major League Baseball.
Verb
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With potentially record-breaking heat coming to Washington, DC on the Fourth of July, people wanting to catch fireworks by saving an early spot on the National Mall will have a lot of waiting to do.
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And who wouldn’t want to stay a good long while here—especially to take maximum advantage of that 16,000-square-foot spa?
Cite this Entry
“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefer. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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