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

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 two men embarked on a long journey from concept to product to create a wine that speaks to the preferences of today’s consumers, who want quality and style without the intimidating jargon of traditional wine culture. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Oct. 2025 Smart Schedule learns your preferred temperatures, responds to your preferences over time, and can provide suggestions—rather than automatic updates—based on your usage patterns. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025 Proposals presented to the White House earlier this year would give preference to English speakers, white South Africans and Europeans who oppose migration, The New York Times reported this week. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Though Princess Anne was older than him, male-preference primogeniture was still in place until the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preference
Noun
  • Their fan favorite is the Cajun chicken filet biscuit, served with crispy Bo-Tato Rounds and a hot cup of their 100% Arabica premium coffee.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Datskovska regularly tests out and reports on TikTok-viral beauty favorites.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To be honest, this is a bit too hot for my liking, but high-proof fans will geek out on this.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The single bathroom has a stand-up shower and the finishes are customized to your liking—think faux marble on the walls.
    Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • New York felt comfortable enough to pick up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option, but keeping him around in the long term with Abdul Carter and Brian Burns probably isn’t the shrewdest.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Avoid overly salty or processed options.
    Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Now, after the window has closed and there is more stability in the squad, Cifuentes hopes his side can settle down and mount a consistent challenge for promotion.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Grace’s sudden promotion creates many job openings in the new administration, chief among them her old gig.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But the likes of Smith, Moore and Toney were all similarly involved.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • There’s now a global race toward practical solid-state batteries with the likes of Toyota and Sumitomo ramping up cathode production.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • How self-reflection operates matters because it will always be needed to make wiser choices about our toughest challenges.
    Big Think, Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The styling move — boots tucked cleanly under denim — is a classic styling choice for a reason.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Private investments in nuclear energy have also soared within the last year, with major tech companies including Google, Meta, and Amazon racing to secure enough power for their AI advancements.
    Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Meta said this partnership is the latest step in bringing technological advancements from the world of AI to Formula 1 and its global fan base.
    Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Broader risk appetite Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, agreed that the bond markets could be responding to a shift in overall sentiment.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The appetite for Hamas’s return to power now feels thin among Gazans.
    Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Preference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preference. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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