in preference to

phrase

: instead of (something or someone) : rather than (something or someone)
They chose her in preference to me.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In preference to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20preference%20to. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster