Synonyms of predilection

predilection

noun

ˌpre-də-ˈlek-shən 

as in tendency

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing

a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tendency
• inclination
• aptitude
• devices
• affinity
• affection
• proclivity
• knack
• predisposition
• penchant
• propensity
• impulse
• disposition
• bias
• preference
• partiality
• talent
• bent
• addiction
• genius
• bone
• appetite
• habitude
• turn
• leaning
• gift
• prejudice
• flair
• fondness
• liking
• taste
• habit
• partisanship
• favor
• endowment
• like
• speciality
• faculty
• specialty
• idiosyncrasy
• practice
• fancy
• practise
• peculiarity
• one-sidedness
• forte
• eccentricity
• quirk
• pattern
• custom
• convention
• singularity
• wont
• way
• routine
• oddity
• trick
• kink

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aversion
• dislike
• distaste
• disinclination
• allergy
• disfavor
• neutrality
• objectivity
• indifference
• detachment
• impartiality
• disliking
• averseness
• disrelish
• apathy
• nonchalance
• unconcern
• disinterestedness
• insouciance

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

Recent Examples of predilection

Yet his predilection for violence, as an uncontrolled impulse or a manipulative tool, was far from in check, according to court papers. —Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Putin’s machinations go beyond just playing to Trump’s own predilections. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2025

Guided by Devine’s musical predilections, with a few concessions to more populist tastes, the bins include blues, jazz, country, sound tracks, punk rock, and New Orleans/zydeco. —Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 1 May 2025

That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection / For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025

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