preferred 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈfərd How to pronounce preferred (audio)
Definition of preferrednext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preferred

2 of 2

verb

past tense of prefer
1
as in liked
to show partiality toward I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Buckingham knew speediness was Dolly’s preferred gear and started recording during the first scratch vocal. — Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 Trump cannot force Canada to follow his preferred naming convention, however. — Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
Despite his wife’s superstardom, Dean preferred a quiet life out of the spotlight. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 Historically, the two companies haven’t worked closely together as Intel preferred its internal EDA resources, but that has changed under new Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who previously served as CEO and chairman of Cadence. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferred
  1. selected
  2. liked
  3. picked
  4. select
  5. favored
  6. favorite
  7. enjoyed
  8. chosen
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
  • Carl never much liked recording sessions but did offer input.
    — Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • There may not be a player in the league who is this good, this young and this universally liked.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of liked
Verb
  • His two conference titles came after the Owls were picked to finish fifth and third in their division.
    — Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The inaugural release will feature an Elijah Craig barrel picked by UK Athletics Director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC J Batt, who traveled to Bardstown to select the bourbon barrel.
    — Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of picked
Adjective
  • Verizon is offering up to $830 off the whole iPhone 17 series with the trade-in of an eligible old (or even damaged) phone and a qualified activation for select Verizon myPlan plans.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Mamdani’s signature 2-K program is scheduled to launch this fall with 2,000 students in select school districts, with the goal of expanding citywide over four years.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of select
Verb
  • It was not favored by critics, although Scream fans remain somewhat loyal.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Talarico has favored higher taxes on wealthier households and the two ads seek to portray him as seeking tax hikes more broadly while claiming that Paxton would give tax breaks to first-time homebuyers and families with children.
    — Josh Boak, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of favored
Adjective
  • My mom’s longtime favorite flip-flops have a super impressive discount today, so act fast to snap them up before summer officially comes to a close.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • One of my friends banned me from all his restaurants, including some favorite Boulder hangouts.
    — George Boedecker Jr, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of favorite
Verb
  • For hundreds of thousands of years, our species has enjoyed the warmth and protection of a good fire before bedtime.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • During their weeks-long hiatus, Navarro enjoyed vacationing with loved ones, while Goldberg shared clips of her attending art shows across Europe.
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of enjoyed
Adjective
  • Popular culture really likes to lionize chosen families.
    — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026
Definition of chosen

Browse Nearby Words

preferments
preferred
preferring
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Cite this Entry

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

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