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 His predilection for eating bugs and rodents may have something to do with that. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025 But with a predilection for risk taking among K-pop generally and BLACKPINK specifically — along with a famously devoted fanbase that celebrates and elevates most anything the group does — the song had finally landed with the right act. Katie Bain, Billboard, 23 July 2025 Equal to Trump’s predilection for tariffs has been his administration’s unwillingness to enforce them. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 July 2025 The trick is to help young people manage such predilections safely. Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for predilection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predilection
Noun
  • Selling a put under those conditions, with roughly 60 days to expiration, positions the seller to capture elevated option premium while capturing the tendency for prices to revert toward the mean.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
  • However, the former collegiate volleyball player says her husband, Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson, doesn't share her cautionary tendencies.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The cosmos is asking us to define our aspirations and inclinations.
    Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 20 Oct. 2025
  • On command, the Arc would detach from the service module and reenter the atmosphere at Mach 20+ with a high sustained g-load to arrive at any location within its orbital inclination zone.
    David Szondy October 13, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mount’s defensive aptitude proved important in keeping United compact throughout, regularly dropping into vacant spaces to slow down any nascent attacks.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Her aptitude was unavoidable at the Fendi show, where top models holding desirable handbags, styled with joyful knits, eye-catching dresses and sporty separates, strutted past guests, including actors Hilary Duff, Naomi Watts and Bang Chan of the South Korean boy band Stray Kids.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The National Fire Protection Association recommends that devices not be charged under a pillow, or on a bed or couch.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The team hopes the new battery could power next-generation aircraft, drones, and portable devices.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mulroney, who grew up in a small Quebec town, had an ideological affinity with the emerging trends of privatization and deregulation in 1980s Anglo-American conservatism.
    Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Debuting on the brand’s fall 2024 runway, the heels were upcycled by Dauphinette’s founder, Olivia Cheng, who explained her affinity with the earth-friendly design practice to luxury resale platform The RealReal.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After the victory, Avdija, who scored 26 points, expressed affection for his former coach.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Harry and Meghan also had a cheeky moment of affection on the red carpet.
    StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predilection. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

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