preferment

noun

pri-ˈfər-mənt How to pronounce preferment (audio)
Definition of prefermentnext
as in promotion
a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position anticipated her preferment to a better-paying position within the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 preferment The evolution of the dough at Flour + Water OG was inspired by their research and development at Flour + Water Pizzeria and the findings of what a preferment does to the complexity of that dough. — Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024 The Communist government’s leadership compound in Beijing, Zhongnanhai, more and more resembles an imperial palace where royal favorites jockey for preferment and titles. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2022 Government patronage, rather than innovation and the service of one’s neighbor, becomes the path to preferment, and innovation is consequently replaced by lobbying and supplication for special status. — Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 12 Aug. 2021 Think of a preferment like a head start towards fermentation. — Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 11 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferment
  1. promotion
  2. advancement
  3. rise
  4. ascent
Noun
  • Ahmed Walid Fabio Vieira (Hamburg) Vieira was the creative heart of Hamburg’s survival in the Bundesliga last season, their first back in the top tier after promotion.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The Central Carolina fair maintains an active Facebook page and regularly posts updates, including promotions and videos of adorable petting zoo animals.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of promotion
Noun
  • One specific area that is actively being explored is the potential of using bacteriophages, which are originally viral in nature, in conjunction with advancements in AI to help detect, track and destroy resistant bacteria forms.
    — Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The advanced weapon features AV’s 20kW-class LOCUST LWS integrated on the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) platform–a significant advancement in mobile, frontline C-UAS capabilities.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of advancement
Noun
  • Over the past three months, international futures markets saw cocoa rise by more than 60% cumulatively, coffee gain over 30%, and raw sugar futures increase by nearly 30%.
    — , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Dense, cold lead sinks while hot lead rises, setting up natural convection loops that carry decay heat away to external heat sinks without electrical pumps or emergency generators.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of rise
Noun
  • The exemption had allowed the company to ship small parcels directly to its customers tariff free, a model that, combined with its Chinese supply chain, contributed to its rapid ascent.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Following Parton’s death, the collection rockets all the way to first place with only a few days of solid tracking activity behind its ascent.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ascent

Browse Nearby Words

preferences
preferment
preferments
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preferment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferment. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All