PREFERENCE Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'preference' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of preference are alternative , choice , election , option , and selection . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. // a preference for cool weather

Q: When is it sensible to use 'alternative' instead of 'preference'?

The words alternative and preference can be used in similar contexts, but alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. // equally attractive alternatives

Q: In what contexts can 'choice' take the place of 'preference'?

The meanings of choice and preference largely overlap; however, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

Q: When is 'election' a more appropriate choice than 'preference'?

While in some cases nearly identical to preference , election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Q: When can 'option' be used instead of 'preference'?

Although the words option and preference have much in common, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When would 'selection' be a good substitute for 'preference'?

The words selection and preference are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

preference

noun

ˈpre-fərn(t)s

Definition of preference

as in favorite

a person or thing that is preferred over others my preference is soul music

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in liking

positive regard for something a preference for cool weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose he was promised his preference when the time came to repaint his bedroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in promotion

a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position a long-sought preference to the position of naval commander

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun preference contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of preference are alternative, choice, election, option, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of preference?

The words alternative and preference can be used in similar contexts, but alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

In what contexts can choice take the place of preference?

The meanings of choice and preference largely overlap; however, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When is election a more appropriate choice than preference?

While in some cases nearly identical to preference, election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When can option be used instead of preference?

Although the words option and preference have much in common, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When would selection be a good substitute for preference?

The words selection and preference are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of preference The city’s first street food market appeases the vast spectrum of palates and preferences, from vegans' to meat-lovers', by featuring ten culinary traders who specialize in ethnic fare from Greece to the bayous of Louisiana. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 In one confidential research engagement involving first-time pet owners, his team looked beyond straightforward questions about product preference. — Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2026 In the security domain, today’s challenges are real—threats to seize Greenland, to abandon Ukraine, to quit NATO, to pull forces from Germany, to tie Taiwanese arms sales to Beijing’s preferences. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Their strong preference to age in place highlights home care's crucial role in long-term health, independence, and brain health. — Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preference

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preference

Noun

Vegas has tabbed the Red Raiders as the overwhelming favorite.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Manley, though, was more circumspect about Wasserman Schultz’s status as the favorite.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of favorite

Noun

The hotel also has a helicopter pad, so those interested in exploring the other islands by air rather than by boat have that option, too.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Iraola has only Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, and Victor Munoz as realistic forward options, with Lewis Koumas and Federico Chiesa offering the next layer of support.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of option

Noun

Despite playing a pivotal role in Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League in 2014 and then the great escape to avoid relegation a year later that paved the way for surely the most unlikely title success of all-time in 2016, James had no offers.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Rules have tightened in recent years, and officials with children and a spouse in other countries are not eligible for promotion.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of promotion

Noun

The post has since garnered dozens of comments and thousands of likes.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Then the frantic scramble to find out more, share the story, pass judgement, analyse, and, for the really creative few, produce that nugget of information that offers genuine insight — or failing that, generates a healthy supply of clicks and likes.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of like

Noun

In May, The Athletic exclusively reported that Mourinho was Perez’s choice to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as manager at the end of 2025-26.

— Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
As for metal, solid gold, whether yellow, white, or rose, remains the steadiest choice, aging with grace and holding its value across the years.

— Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of choice

Noun

Having captured global attention with its dancing and kung-fu fighting androids, China’s Unitree has become the poster child of the country’s robotic advancement.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Research has shown that women with obesity earn about 6% less than thinner women for identical work and that people in larger bodies may also face discriminatory termination and negative stereotypes that can hinder hiring and career advancement.

— Brittney McNamara, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of advancement

Noun

The current resurgence of tennis necklaces reflects the rise of quiet luxury and a growing appetite for investment purchasing and dressing.

— Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Spurred by tech giants’ insatiable appetite for computing power to dominate frontier models, the unprecedented global expansion of AI infrastructure has created demand so enormous that no single country can satisfy it.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of appetite

Browse Nearby Words

preferably

preference

preferences

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Style

“Preference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preference. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of preference

noun

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