preference

ˈpre-fərn(t)s
Definition of preferencenext
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 This trend may be influencing consumer purchasing decisions and preferences. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 25 June 2026 This is especially true for premium merchandise priced over $1,000, where buyers face the highest financial risk, the authors of the report said, adding that full-body rendering has emerged as the clear consumer preference, capturing 80 percent of user engagement over basic AI twins. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 Sometimes, space constraints–or simply personal preferences–call for something smaller than the traditional three-seater sofa, which is where the humble loveseat shines. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026 Their preference is a young forward with offensive upside. Peter Baugh, New York Times, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for preference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preference
Noun
  • The menu at the midtown location paid homage to many of the customer favorites from the original Mother, such as the mushroom po’ boy, nut burger and chile verde, but Venditti always puts his own spin on them.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • The restaurant makes refined regional favorites like ceviche colimense and his tostada de pozole seco, and mixes cocktails with tuba.
    Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • If the butter yellow isn’t to your liking, there are 14 other colors to peruse, including baby blue, cherry red, and bubble gum pink.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
  • And that was much to his liking.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • Global economies have already weighed energy options beyond the Middle East, as the war in Iran has put irreversible pressure on the oil industry, according to Karen Young, a researcher at Columbia University.
    Deva Lee, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • For shoppers who aren’t on board with the barrel trend, this daisy print option offers a more streamlined version.
    Mia McManus, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • That’s exactly how Comber — now store director, after a promotion — has used it.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Amron, Dane, Amanda and Alondra bring deep relationships and a modern understanding of the business, and Chinazam and Kashia have each earned these promotions through hard work and strong instincts.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The past few decades saw similar degrees of vitriol lobbed against the likes of Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
    Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • Joe Prince-Wright, Nick Mendola and Andy Edwards discuss the race for the Golden Boot as the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland continue to score at a torrid pace.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Park conditions change constantly and visitors' choice of activities and level of preparedness are big factors in determining risk.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • Bad choices like that are a through-line for this whole story, all the way back to Otto Hightower encouraging his daughter, Alicent, to befriend Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys.
    Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Audit your current succession planning process this quarter and implement a mechanism that allows employees to self-nominate for advancement opportunities, ensuring that career trajectories are shaped by direct employee input rather than managerial assumptions.
    Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • On the other side of the supply-and-demand scale, consumers’ appetite for oil fell substantially more over the past few months than just about anyone predicted.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • Councilmember Ken Houston has dropped a November ballot measure seeking to strip the Oakland Police Commission’s ability to fire and help hire the chief — legislation that would have tested voter appetite for scaling back the commission’s responsibilities.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preference. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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