1
as in to like
to show partiality toward
I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prefer
Whatever the facts of the case, the parents would prefer to believe that their daughter had died pursuing an ambitious dream, and that her boyfriend had loved her.
—
William Finnegan,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Across Russia, independent media outlets have been documenting growing lines of vehicles waiting at fuel stations as shortages kick in — scenes the authorities would prefer to hide.
—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
While Americans still prefer text messaging to WhatsApp, the app is widely used in Europe, Asia and much of the rest of the world.
—
Kelvin Chan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Turkestan cockroaches prefer not to live inside your home, but may enter at night in search of food or water.
—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prefer
William Finnegan,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Across Russia, independent media outlets have been documenting growing lines of vehicles waiting at fuel stations as shortages kick in — scenes the authorities would prefer to hide.
—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
While Americans still prefer text messaging to WhatsApp, the app is widely used in Europe, Asia and much of the rest of the world.
—
Kelvin Chan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Turkestan cockroaches prefer not to live inside your home, but may enter at night in search of food or water.
—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prefer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefer
Verb
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At issue today is whether or not liking social media posts is an angerable offence on a reality television program.
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Cooley would also like to produce an art book of his favorite photos from the project.
Verb
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Old borrowers may need to consolidate loans, choose new repayment plans or risk being involuntarily placed in one that may not fit their budget, loan experts said.
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Design is what decides whether a person can do their best work, find the thread to something larger, and choose without leaving.
Verb
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India’s government, which has long leveraged a hard line on Pakistan for domestic political advantage, enjoyed a rally-around-the-flag effect that gave it a useful boost one year after a worse-than-expected performance in national elections.
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Away from basketball, the two players enjoy plenty of interests.
Verb
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In Buffalo, New York, the 2026 NHL draft action kicked off with the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting Penn State winger Gavin McKenna – a pick most people expected would open the night.
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When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
Verb
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As the World Cup round of 32 gets underway, Vaughn Dalzell and Drew Dinsick look at whom the odds favor among France, Argentina, Spain and England to take home the trophy.
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All of them were aimed at creating new congressional district maps that favor their party.
Verb
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Dominic placed Asher on the back of his pick-up truck to capture the moment before entering the ballpark together, the first of many.
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This is when the debtor, aware that his vehicle is in jeopardy, makes an appointment, through the lender, to have a repossessor pick it up.
Verb
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Your 10th House of Career wants focus as the Sun forms a quincunx with transformative Pluto in your 5th House of Creativity, testing balance between responsibility and joy.
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The complaint also identifies several defendants as having ties to the Christian Zheng Sheng Association, a Hong Kong charity whose founder, Jacob Lam Hay-sing, is wanted by Hong Kong police in an unrelated criminal investigation.
Cite this Entry
“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefer. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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