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
  • The collaboration between certain MAGA influencers and animal-rights activists has drawn out the most confrontational tendencies within each camp.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • One way to estimate your tendency is with a Morningness-Eveningness questionnaire.
    Allison Aubrey, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The inclination to avoid that threshold already impacted Denver’s decision not to sign a rookie contract extension with Peyton Watson last month.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Lin—whose early career at Zappos and mathematical inclinations molded him into an early backer of companies like Airbnb and DoorDash—has been at Sequoia since 2010.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 4 Nov. 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
  • Since launching in 2012, Candy Crush Saga has remained one of the most popular games on mobile devices, accruing millions of daily players.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
  • On the hardware side over 10+ million devices have been built around a recovery phrase by default, entrenching a market expectation in which seed phrases are the go-to recovery method, even as some vendors add alternatives.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Talley, who by his own efforts pushed himself from his roots in Durham, North Carolina, to New York City and Paris, had a magnetic passion for clothing and an affinity for designers.
    Essence, Essence, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The musician has been gaining notoriety this past year, thanks to both the success of the LP and his affinity for speaking his mind about other musicians.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Friends joined in, showering him with treats and affection.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
  • But the decision to live together wasn’t about affection, according to the Daily Mail.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predilection. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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