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
The Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA) hosts an annual Stuff the Bus event and is hoping to receive donations of backpacks to start, preferably without logos.
—
Elle Meyers, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Choose healthy plants, preferably ones with round leaves, such as jade plants.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Signing an attacker — preferably with versatility and the ability to play across the front line, like Gordon, rather than merely an out-and-out left-winger — is of the utmost priority, alongside bringing in a new No 1.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 5 June 2026
However, history tells us that the first thing that Hollywood tries to do with a blockbuster is figure out not only how to do it again but to also turn it into a reliable pipeline — preferably one that can start to deliver in Q4 2027.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Elle Meyers, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Choose healthy plants, preferably ones with round leaves, such as jade plants.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Signing an attacker — preferably with versatility and the ability to play across the front line, like Gordon, rather than merely an out-and-out left-winger — is of the utmost priority, alongside bringing in a new No 1.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 5 June 2026
However, history tells us that the first thing that Hollywood tries to do with a blockbuster is figure out not only how to do it again but to also turn it into a reliable pipeline — preferably one that can start to deliver in Q4 2027.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
Adverb
-
The menu at Ardys’ food truck is rather sparse compared to its restaurant in Philippine Cultural Center, but the truck could arguably sell just one item and still do just fine.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
In bacteria, transcription factors are rather like keys that fit the locks of unique binding sites on DNA.—
Philip Ball,
Quanta Magazine,
18 June 2026
Adverb
-
If CosRx can convince people to willingly slather snail mucin on their faces, trusting the brand with hair care is a pretty easy next step.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
18 June 2026
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Hart willingly did the dirty work, snatching up rebounds rather than points.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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