as in rather
by choice or preference
I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preferably
Costco's 'absolutely massive' 10-pound chocolate Easter bunny The chocolate bunny is so big, the packaging also includes instructions on how to approach actually eating it, preferably by smashing or slicing.
—
Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 22 Mar. 2026
And what works for this writer are powerful hits of nostalgia, preferably from childhood, preferably in relation to football, preferably, and more specifically, to the aesthetics of football.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Stick to the real thing, preferably made by professionals.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
Make note of the location, preferably in GPS coordinates, plus the type of gear and bait used to catch it.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 22 Mar. 2026
And what works for this writer are powerful hits of nostalgia, preferably from childhood, preferably in relation to football, preferably, and more specifically, to the aesthetics of football.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Stick to the real thing, preferably made by professionals.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
Make note of the location, preferably in GPS coordinates, plus the type of gear and bait used to catch it.
—Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
Adverb
-
Kansas has not been a program built on turning over its roster every season but rather generating improvement from those already on it — and then trying to find ways to fill in the gaps when necessary.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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If the goal is truly to protect consumers, the solution does not lie in reducing the visibility of the legal market through federal prohibitions, but rather in avoiding excessive intervention.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Officers said the girl and her mother willingly got into the man's car.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In the closing seconds, McEnelly willingly took a pair of stall calls to avoid any further attacks, prevailing 4-3 and snapping Welsh’s 40-match win streak.—
Twin Cities,
Twin Cities,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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