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
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Recent Examples of preferably
Wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
What To Know The best place to view tonight's shower is in a dark location, away from city light pollution, and preferably without any cloud cover.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The white paper recommends limiting play to one game a week in the fall and spring semesters, preferably on weekends.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Choose healthy plants, preferably ones with round leaves, such as jade plants.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
What To Know The best place to view tonight's shower is in a dark location, away from city light pollution, and preferably without any cloud cover.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The white paper recommends limiting play to one game a week in the fall and spring semesters, preferably on weekends.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Choose healthy plants, preferably ones with round leaves, such as jade plants.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
Adverb
-
The sixth-year veteran has been rather terrible as of late.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But a few of those games have been rather close, particularly last year’s 30-27 win in double overtime.—
Chase Gemes,
Kansas City Star,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Most national leaders, after all, do not willingly associate themselves with diarrhea.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Jan began receiving love letters from Berchtold and willingly wrote back.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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