Synonyms of prefer

prefer

verb

pri-ˈfər 

1

as in to like

to show partiality toward

I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla

Synonyms & Similar Words

• like
• enjoy
• choose
• favor
• want
• pick
• care (for)
• go in for
• lean (toward or towards)
• select
• appreciate
• relish
• adore
• desire
• fancy
• crave
• dig
• cotton (to)
• admire
• wish (for)
• take
• delight (in)
• be partial to
• tend (to)
• bias
• name
• single (out)
• covet
• revel (in)
• handpick
• prejudice
• cull
• cherish
• groove (on)
• incline (toward)
• value
• treasure
• prize
• hanker (for or after)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dislike
• hate
• loathe
• refuse
• detest
• abhor
• reject
• decline
• mislike
• turn down
• discard
• disfavor
• abominate
• jettison
• throw away
• throw out

2

as in to choose

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

• choose
• select
• pick
• take
• elect
• name
• designate
• opt (for)
• tag
• single (out)
• cull
• handpick
• cherry-pick
• nominate
• accept
• adopt
• appoint
• embrace
• tap
• preselect
• tab
• mark
• set
• espouse
• settle (on or upon)
• fix

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• turn down
• disapprove
• negative
• repudiate
• discard
• spurn
• throw away
• throw out
• jettison

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prefer

The one exception is that Counsell seems to prefer pairing Japanese ace Shota Imanaga with Amaya, who caught him 22 times during Imanaga’s 15-win season a year ago. —Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

To correct for this, astronauts tend to prefer spicy foods or adding spicy sauces, like sriracha, tabasco or red pepper paste. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 1 May 2025

If your yard is shady, there are many plants that prefer the shade and will put on a colorful season-long show. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2025

One 2023 study found that participants preferred warm-colored foods over colors observed through a cool spectrum (green, blue, and purple, for instance). —Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025