as in rather
by choice or preference
I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field
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Recent Examples of preferably
Both were needed to unlock a chamber aboard a Russian stealth submarine that contained The Entity's source code, so the possessor of those keys could control or (preferably) destroy the AI.
—
ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Common bermuda can be planted from seed, but wait until soils are warmer still, preferably May or early June.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025
Then, there are the steps to address the underlying cause, preferably guided by an expert like a physical therapist.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 4 Apr. 2025
Plant it a good 50 feet away from your home and the neighbors, preferably near a source of water.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Common bermuda can be planted from seed, but wait until soils are warmer still, preferably May or early June.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025
Then, there are the steps to address the underlying cause, preferably guided by an expert like a physical therapist.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 4 Apr. 2025
Plant it a good 50 feet away from your home and the neighbors, preferably near a source of water.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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