PREFERRED Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

preferred 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈfərd

Definition of preferred

as in selected

singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking my preferred means of communication is e-mail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preferred

2 of 2

verb

past tense of prefer

as in liked

to show partiality toward I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chose

to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities most buyers of that vehicle have preferred the model with four-wheel drive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 preferred

Adjective

And while Disney World is of course the biggest and most recognizable of Florida’s many options, Universal Orlando Resort was my family’s preferred park, especially once the Wizarding World of Harry Potter came around. — Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026 Listen to this week’s episode below or on your preferred podcast platform. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Friends told People magazine that Roberts preferred a supporting role, allowing Ocasio-Cortez to take center stage as her political career accelerated. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Farther west, an initial route preferred by SDG&E would see the transmission line cross into portions of Riverside County and Temecula. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferred

Adjective

Some cool features include a kill switch that automatically disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection fails, as well as split tunneling that allows selected apps to use the VPN connection while others transmit data in clear text.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
These pre-selected fighter pilots and their families moved into their apartments during the summer of 1960 after residing at the Frunze Central Airfield in Moscow.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 May 2026

Definition of selected

Verb

Morgan liked the element of surprise inherent in the title since there are unexpected elements in some of the dog art.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Rooms The Venetian has always liked to remind would-be visitors that every room is a suite, and in this case, the room sizes really do warrant the frequent callouts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of liked

Verb

No league was picked clean this offseason more thoroughly than the American, with four head coaches moving to Power 4 jobs and bringing players with them.

— Chris Vannini, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Southlake Carroll ramping up Southlake Carroll’s offense picked its moments to strike downfield.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of picked

Adjective

The Kubasik First Impact Program helps a select cohort of Maryland student-athletes each academic year prepare for life beyond their sport.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
To pull this off, Uber is working with the drone delivery provider Zipline, a company in South San Francisco that first focused on the African market before expanding in the US to deliver food and Walmart orders in select areas.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of select

Verb

Falling asleep to the ocean breeze and crashing waves encapsulates the essence of Essaouira, a city long favored by a bohemian crowd.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026
Cook Political Report rates the battle for control of the Senate as a toss up, with Republicans favored slightly to win.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of favored

Verb

No problem there; in recent years, Moab has enjoyed a hotel boom, and nearly every in-town lodge has a pool.

— Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
As an indie stalwart in the publicity and marketing space, Cinetic Marketing has long enjoyed making an outsized impact on the movies that make waves out of festivals and during awards season.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of enjoyed

Browse Nearby Words

preferments

preferred

preferring

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Preferred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferred. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of preferred

adjective

verb

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