Synonyms of prefer

prefer

verb

pri-ˈfər 

1

as in to like

to show partiality toward

I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla

Synonyms & Similar Words

• like
• enjoy
• choose
• favor
• want
• pick
• care (for)
• go in for
• lean (toward or towards)
• select
• appreciate
• relish
• adore
• desire
• fancy
• crave
• dig
• cotton (to)
• admire
• wish (for)
• take
• delight (in)
• be partial to
• tend (to)
• bias
• name
• single (out)
• covet
• revel (in)
• handpick
• prejudice
• cull
• cherish
• groove (on)
• incline (toward)
• value
• treasure
• prize
• hanker (for or after)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dislike
• hate
• loathe
• refuse
• detest
• abhor
• reject
• decline
• mislike
• turn down
• discard
• disfavor
• abominate
• jettison
• throw away
• throw out

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

• choose
• select
• pick
• take
• elect
• name
• designate
• opt (for)
• tag
• single (out)
• cull
• handpick
• cherry-pick
• nominate
• accept
• adopt
• appoint
• embrace
• tap
• preselect
• tab
• mark
• set
• espouse
• settle (on or upon)
• fix

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• turn down
• disapprove
• negative
• repudiate
• discard
• spurn
• throw away
• throw out
• jettison

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prefer

Germany, meanwhile, has historically preferred to spend money on satellites, scientific missions, and payloads. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026

Regardless of their reasons for wanting to stay in the workforce, many Americans would prefer to treat late in life work as a choice rather than a necessity, says Scott Boyles, a CFP also based in Austin. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026

Ocean temperatures have exceeded 82 degrees off Baja, sending juvenile white sharks, who prefer waters between 67 and 73 degrees, north toward California, Lowe said. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

In the poll, Nixon was preferred by 90% of Democratic voters against Republican Ashley Moody, while Vindman was preferred by 86% of Democrats. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2026