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
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Recent Examples of preferably
Although both must be delicious, the former needs to be unfussy, practical and quick, preferably with minimal prep and cleanup, while the latter can be more of a project.
—
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
Giving investment property also can shift income and gains from your income tax return to the returns of other family members, preferably those in lower tax brackets.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Your best bet is to use machines affiliated with major international banks—think HSBC, Barclays, Santander—preferably during business hours in case something goes wrong (for example, your card gets stuck in the machine).
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 28 Apr. 2025
Image Piffle is better light than heavy, and preferably without a moral.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
Giving investment property also can shift income and gains from your income tax return to the returns of other family members, preferably those in lower tax brackets.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Your best bet is to use machines affiliated with major international banks—think HSBC, Barclays, Santander—preferably during business hours in case something goes wrong (for example, your card gets stuck in the machine).
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 28 Apr. 2025
Image Piffle is better light than heavy, and preferably without a moral.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
rather
Adverb
-
The first symptoms that came to a head, so to speak, were rather subtle.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
That the Reds have been able to hover around the .500 mark and still be just 3 1/2 games back of the NL Central crown with so many injuries at various points is rather remarkable.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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