preference

noun

ˈpre-fərn(t)s
Definition of preferencenext
1
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others my preference is soul music

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in liking
positive regard for something a preference for cool weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in option
the power, right, or opportunity to choose he was promised his preference when the time came to repaint his bedroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in promotion
a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position a long-sought preference to the position of naval commander

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun preference contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of preference are alternative, choice, election, option, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of preference?

The words alternative and preference can be used in similar contexts, but alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

In what contexts can choice take the place of preference?

The meanings of choice and preference largely overlap; however, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When is election a more appropriate choice than preference?

While in some cases nearly identical to preference, election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When can option be used instead of preference?

Although the words option and preference have much in common, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When would selection be a good substitute for preference?

The words selection and preference are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preference
  1. favorite
  2. liking
  3. option
  4. promotion
  5. like
  6. choice
  7. advancement
  8. appetite
Noun
  • My favorites are clear after my testing: the Drybar Double-Shot ($155) and the T3 AireBrush Round ($160).
    — Nena Farrell, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • That could happen again in the playoffs, as OKC will be heavy favorites in this first-round series.
    — Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of favorite
Noun
  • The white sneaker can even be customized to your liking in subtle ways, from a high platform version to contrasting leather details in a variety of colors.
    — Lina-Marie Baatz, Glamour, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The new blushes are designed for the same purpose—treating skin as the primary focus, while the color can be customized to your liking.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of liking
Noun
  • In practice, however, Americans who don’t have retirement savings options at work aren’t likely to take the initiative on their own.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • For now, the lone option is fighting the good fight, extending the good fight beyond what could be the earliest of expiration dates, with Game 4 on Monday at Kaseya Center.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of option
Noun
  • In the past, only non-discounted stays qualified for free dining deals, but next year, guests will be able to couple that benefit with other promotions.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Even before the current wave of promotions, college students had established themselves as AI’s power users.
    — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of promotion
Noun
  • More than 50 celebrities lost their homes as the blaze raged across the city, including the likes of Miles Teller, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Paris Hilton, Tyra Banks, Joshua Jackson and Anthony Hopkins.
    — Michael Nied, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • After spending time in Nashville writing for the likes of Rascal Flatts and Sabrina Carpenter, Trainor landed a deal with Epic Records.
    — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of like
Noun
  • For those not skilled in cooking, baking, or crafting, a bottle of wine may seem like an obvious choice for a host gift.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Chris Perkins' final NFL mock draft: Dolphins make the obvious choice . . .
    — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of choice
Noun
  • The announcement marks the first advancement toward a full agreement that was thrown into jeopardy by rounds of tense talks and Zelensky's disastrous White House visit in February.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, researchers have theorized that fusion could generate nearly limitless amounts of safe and clean energy on Earth, but the scientific advancements that could make this possible on a large scale are still decades away.
    — Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of advancement
Noun
  • Don’t forget that Bezos’s appetite for the exceptional extends offshore, with Koru, his $500 million, 417-foot sailing yacht, and Abeona, the $75 million, 250-foot support vessel that follows in its wake.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But as the event has grown, so has the appetite for more focused, content-rich side events.
    — Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of appetite
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Preference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preference. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preference

Nglish: Translation of preference for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about preference

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