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 Human nutrition has focused on food groups and the construction of a balanced diet that is highly varied based on personal preference, ethnicity, accessibility, dietary restrictions and numerous other factors. — Will Boyd, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026 Moms are often the ones coordinating vacations on behalf of their family—doing the hotel research, remembering everyone’s preferences, and aiming to please. — Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 Schools that keep the preferences are listed publicly as out of compliance and must report more admissions data to the state. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Hilton advises guests to call or message the front desk to request additional cleaning services or share their preferences during a stay. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preference

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preference

Noun

The books have officially listed the 49ers as the team to beat for the Super Bowl, moving them to favorites.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The team that opened the season as the overwhelming favorite to win Super Bowl LXI continued to look like a cheap imitation.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of favorite

Noun

Anyone who’s had a game console and played Madden has arranged depth charts to their liking and made game-management decisions to feel like a head coach.

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
This flamboyantly ambitious novel, which takes place in a version of Atlanta known as Atlantis, follows the life of George Washington Jonson, a Black cop with a liking for white women.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of liking

Noun

The Air Force wants CCAs to increase the number of aircraft available for a mission while giving pilots additional sensing, targeting, and engagement options.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
In exchange, users are given a smaller pool of options in place of endless swiping.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of option

Noun

The race will be branded the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, the country’s tourism-promotion brand.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Since retaking the pitch in 2018-19, Belenenses has clawed its way back to relevance, winning five consecutive promotions.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of promotion

Noun

In garrulous moods, Daunt likes to impart advice for young travellers.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Denim, leather, wood, metal and minerals have transformed the space into a contemporary setting that is unquestionably upscale but also warm and home-like.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of like

Noun

And per-action authorization proves an instruction was permitted, not that the decision behind it was sound; an agent manipulated into a bad choice within its authority still needs monitoring and human oversight.

— Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
For now, however, Bangladesh’s garment workers—and billions across the Global South—have little choice but to endure given scant signs of relief in oil markets.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of choice

Noun

There's reason to believe research on Jonathan and other animals could lead to advancements for people, Austad said.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
This advancement could help scientists investigate how electrons respond to intense light and, eventually, explore ways to control them during chemical reactions.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of advancement

Noun

Last year, Kort helped launch an Eat the Invaders event, bringing chefs together to channel people’s appetite for delicious food by cooking with invasive and overabundant species.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Switches made from wide-bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide could handle far higher voltages than silicon, and the EV industry’s appetite for these materials began driving the cost down just as a hungrier customer arrived.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of appetite

Browse Nearby Words

preferably

preference

preferences

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Preference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preference. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of preference

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on preference

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

puissant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes