as in rather
by choice or preference
I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preferably
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.
—
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably 12 hours.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
As far as deadline needs, the two things the Reds need the most are a power bat, preferably right-handed, and at least one more bullpen arm.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Packed to the brim with all the essential vitamins and minerals a person could need, just two capsules a day (preferably taken with breakfast) provides a solid nutritional foundation without the hassle of juggling multiple supplements.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably 12 hours.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
As far as deadline needs, the two things the Reds need the most are a power bat, preferably right-handed, and at least one more bullpen arm.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Packed to the brim with all the essential vitamins and minerals a person could need, just two capsules a day (preferably taken with breakfast) provides a solid nutritional foundation without the hassle of juggling multiple supplements.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
rather
Adverb
-
But this will be no typical return, rather a return by the franchise’s all-time leader in 3-pointers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
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The former Super Bowl champion was expected to practice on Saturday, but now, Los Angeles has offered some rather strange information on Stafford.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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