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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of preferably
To break that cycle, please give therapy another try, this time with a therapist specifically trained to work with gay men, preferably gay men who lived through the onset of the AIDS crisis.
—
R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
Access codes, combinations or key locations should be kept preferably in only gun owners’ memories or somewhere else others can’t find them.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Focus for the Charlotte office will be on software engineers and technology staff, and Judi Health plans to collaborate with the Hornets and city leaders to select an appropriate location, preferably in uptown.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2025
Also, to make sure that your dogwood gets at least half a day of sun every day, preferably in the morning.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
Access codes, combinations or key locations should be kept preferably in only gun owners’ memories or somewhere else others can’t find them.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Focus for the Charlotte office will be on software engineers and technology staff, and Judi Health plans to collaborate with the Hornets and city leaders to select an appropriate location, preferably in uptown.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2025
Also, to make sure that your dogwood gets at least half a day of sun every day, preferably in the morning.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
Adverb
-
The audience for wax museums is melting away in the digital age, when posing with a static dummy has come to feel rather quaint.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The simplicity is intentional so your eye isn't bouncing, but rather gliding through the room.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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And the Patriots don’t have enough offensive firepower to willingly part with a legitimate NFL starter, taking fumbles out of the equation.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
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In the latest demands of Intel, the government willingly relinquished the ability to exert control, despite being the largest holder of Intel’s shares.—
Andrew King,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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