1
as in liking
to show partiality toward
I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in selecting
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
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Recent Examples of preferring
ABC News, 11 May 2026
The practice is now common in gyms, wellness resorts and hotels across the United States, with some people preferring structured spa environments and others opting for lakes, oceans or other outdoor settings.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Often, Therrien did not give his works descriptive titles, preferring instead that his viewers invest his art with meaning.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
For those preferring something more traditional, the winter garden of the main house (where breakfast is also served) offers all-day classics such as filet de bœuf and the iconic Tarte Tropézienne.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Trump, Obama told people, seemed indifferent to hearing about potential national-security perils—North Korea, Russia—preferring to brag about the size of the crowds at his campaign rallies.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
So the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy seem pretty evenly balanced here despite critics and many vocal fans preferring the original.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Young repeatedly spoke about preferring demanding setups, and Doral gave him exactly that kind of test.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Public affairs or current affairs programming are specific broadcast terms, with print media preferring features and analysis to describe similar works.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026
Verb
So far, Beijing has remained cautious, preferring to not get deeply involved.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
The practice is now common in gyms, wellness resorts and hotels across the United States, with some people preferring structured spa environments and others opting for lakes, oceans or other outdoor settings.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Often, Therrien did not give his works descriptive titles, preferring instead that his viewers invest his art with meaning.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
For those preferring something more traditional, the winter garden of the main house (where breakfast is also served) offers all-day classics such as filet de bœuf and the iconic Tarte Tropézienne.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Trump, Obama told people, seemed indifferent to hearing about potential national-security perils—North Korea, Russia—preferring to brag about the size of the crowds at his campaign rallies.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
So the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy seem pretty evenly balanced here despite critics and many vocal fans preferring the original.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Young repeatedly spoke about preferring demanding setups, and Doral gave him exactly that kind of test.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Public affairs or current affairs programming are specific broadcast terms, with print media preferring features and analysis to describe similar works.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
-
There’s a core foundation of Mancs and Scousers not liking each other very much that underpins it all.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
-
Additionally, reasons included enjoying the job, liking to work, being bored, and wanting to help others.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
How to handle it safely For dogs that only graze occasionally, the main precaution should be choosing safe locations.—
Diana Bocco,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
By choosing investment banking, an industry almost entirely based in Manhattan, students were expressing a predilection for its unique lifestyle and consumption options.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Once strongly favoring Democrats, the county moved toward Republicans in recent elections, but there are signs the political winds may be shifting again.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
And the Virginia state supreme court actually overturned that Democratic-favoring map on those procedural grounds.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The label will also guide you in selecting the correct washing cycle, water temperature, and best drying choices.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
District leaders make up the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s obscure but powerful governing body that largely controls selecting judges, party priorities, and spending.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Try the basil martini and an array of mocktails while enjoying Italian multi-course dining.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
But bragging about enjoying a hard shell taco nowadays is like showing up to a street takeover in a horse buggy.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
This is as important, and as boring, in theory, as picking a fund for your 401(k), yet, improbably, the draft has become one of the largest events on the sporting calendar.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
So picking the right actors was very important for me.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
In addition to creating an election crimes office and tougher penalties for fraud, the new law required that voters wanting a mail ballot must request one every election cycle.—
Michael Van Sickler,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
Charter’s plans have no contracts — so other than wanting to maintain the savings, customers can switch at any time.—
Javier Palomarez,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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