PREFERABLY Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

preferably

adverb

ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-blē

Definition of preferably next

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

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.

Recent Examples of preferably Be mindful of chocolate portion sizes, and stick to roughly an ounce (28 g) per day—preferably of dark chocolate. —

Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 17 June 2026 One that doesn’t involve violence, preferably. —

David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 Greenberg said his near-term plan for the building is to try to lease it out, preferably to a single tenant. —

Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026 The company’s founder intends to build a refinery in East Africa too, preferably in Kenya. —

Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 12 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