Definition of predilectionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun predilection contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of predilection are bias, prejudice, and prepossession. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

When could bias be used to replace predilection?

Although the words bias and predilection have much in common, bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

When is it sensible to use prejudice instead of predilection?

The words prejudice and predilection can be used in similar contexts, but prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

When can prepossession be used instead of predilection?

While the synonyms prepossession and predilection are close in meaning, prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

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 predilection The president seemingly both relates to, and badly needs to rely on, allies who share his predilection for violating laws and human decency. Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026 By choosing investment banking, an industry almost entirely based in Manhattan, students were expressing a predilection for its unique lifestyle and consumption options. Literary Hub, 15 May 2026 Only McCarthy could have given us Judge Holden, a bald, sociopathic pedophile with weird skin and a predilection for chaos. Time, 12 May 2026 Amazon’s owner Jeff Bezos seems to have a predilection for faux AI podcasts (and AI in general). Frank Landymore, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predilection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predilection
Noun
  • The only real scoring chances arrived in the dying moments of a game that carried macabre tendencies, long after the match had devolved into a turf war.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 June 2026
  • But the market’s tendency to parse imprecise (or overly precise) verbiage for hidden signals may not be easily extinguished.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Burdette, leveraging his brother’s connections with college athletes, and his natural inclination to bring the party, had recruited agents who were younger and more fun than Pughsley’s original crowd.
    Keith O’Brien, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
  • Choosing a college major has always felt like a big life decision, influenced by not only personal inclinations and talents, but also by starting salaries—new engineering and computer science grads earn more than those with English degrees.
    Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • The future of talent acquisition will require hiring more for aptitude, adaptability and leadership potential—and less for perfectly linear résumés.
    Dr. Milpha Blamo, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • The North Korean players’ physical aptitude was clear, but coaches were aware of their technical and tactical shortcomings.
    Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • At one point, Jessie befriends a gang of tech toys that includes a low-tech potty-training product named Smarty Pants, along with GPS and camera devices Atlas and Snappy.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • The suspects arrested allegedly planned to target senior government officials with small, armed drones; no devices were launched.
    Larry Seward, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • In her memoir, Andrews mentions that her children briefly attended UCLA Lab School and that Joanna had affinities for horseback riding and reading.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 June 2026
  • Multiple studies show consumers report stronger brand affinity and higher purchase intent after attending in-person activations.
    Alison Bringé, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Ortega felt plenty comfortable showing affection to her beloved pet, Brady, a Chihuahua mix.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
  • The old apparatuses of affection remained between us, however obsolete.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predilection. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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