preference

ˈpre-fərn(t)s
1
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others my preference is soul music

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preference
Noun
  • Additionally, John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu will play Severus Snape and Nick Frost will play Rubeus Hagrid — all Hogwarts favorites.
    Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 19 June 2025
  • That seasonal favorite reappears on the Official Physical Singles chart at No. 79, perhaps helped onto that list by the excitement around the singer’s latest cut.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Sear in a hot pan coated in a thin layer of oil until the meat is browned to your liking.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2025
  • And that there are fewer and fewer reporters doing them, even as governments and others hire more and more flaks to spin events to their liking.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • There’s also the option of buying several MLPs at once with a fund.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Thankfully, there are quick-drying options like this Baleaf athletic T-shirt.
    Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • That might seem like a sign of an upcoming promotion.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
  • Yet that ignores the inevitable churn that comes with promotion to the Premier League, to say nothing of £148million generated in sales of Romeo Lavia, Tino Livramento, James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Tella.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Chelsea have found other ways to comply, so how much they were forced to sell the likes of Gallagher by the rules rather than their own previous choices in the transfer market is open to debate.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Over at the New York Times, journalists in the likes of Julia Jacobs, Ben Sisario, and Anusha Bayya have taken on the platform’s consistent coverage of the trial, while mainstream publications including The Washington Post, The New York Post, E!
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • While LLMs are certainly here to stay, and are likely to be further incorporated into our lives, the researchers hope their study can help users make better choices, switching between models depending on the task at hand.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 June 2025
  • The summer of 2024 solidified Love Island USA as a top reality-TV choice for households across the country, and 2025 is proving to be a repeat success.
    Clarissa Brooks, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Regardless of the advancements in health from AI, Radeva said the human element will still be necessary..
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025
  • The sooner Allen started the clock on his second and third contracts, the quicker the agents could make their coveted return on investments paid in the form of pre-draft training and, in some instances, money advancements before the prospects had played an NFL down.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The flavors are perfect for high-fiber mocktails that activate GLP-1, the hormone that controls appetite.
    Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • These market participants have a higher risk appetite and embrace alternative financial instruments.
    Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Preference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preference. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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