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
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
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Recent Examples of preferred
Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 12 June 2026
When Agnes is faced with the reality of not being able to marry her preferred (and much more age-appropriate) match Garth, Aunt Lydia gives her Commander Westin (Reed Diamond), the top pick among this year’s eligible old bachelors, as her consolation prize.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 11 June 2026
Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
One editor even preferred it as the most flavorful of the bunch.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferred
Adjective
That could be Larkin, who reportedly has Minnesota as one of his preferred destinations.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 12 June 2026
When Agnes is faced with the reality of not being able to marry her preferred (and much more age-appropriate) match Garth, Aunt Lydia gives her Commander Westin (Reed Diamond), the top pick among this year’s eligible old bachelors, as her consolation prize.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 11 June 2026
Verb
Shards of shrapnel are still lodged in her chest – so close to her heart that doctors preferred not to operate to remove them.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
One editor even preferred it as the most flavorful of the bunch.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferred
Adjective
-
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
-
Viewers can earn in-game gear, weapons and other rare items by watching selected streamers who are playing Tarkov.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
While her daughter and her friends were playing, Kerry noticed a snake in her garden and, knowing her brother liked animals and lived nearby, sought out his help.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Dane Cordes was an adrenaline junky and, according to those who knew him, was someone who liked fast cars, fast bikes, water sports and skydiving.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The Athletic’s latest mock draft also has Burries (ninth to Mavericks) and Brown (10th to Bucks) being picked before the Heat’s selection.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
At the end of the performance, Perry picked him up as the crowd cheered.—
Klaritza Rico,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
Anthropic tightly controlled the release of Mythos, which was launched in April, limiting access to a select group of companies that could use it to plug security holes.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
While powerhouse Germany is favored to win, don’t rule Curaçao out.—
Alex Connor,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
The Dutch are favored to advance out of the group stage, but the team has struggled with injuries; defender Jurrien Timber has already left because of a groin injury and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is nursing a recent hip injury.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
As the two industries continue to converge and more viewers than ever rally behind their favorite teams and players, brands also need to be watching the sidelines.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
18 June 2026
-
Here are some of our favorite moments from the show, which might be the best awards show on TV.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Colorado Avalanche executive Joe Sakic followed a similar path, while others who enjoyed long on-ice careers and went on to win Cups as coaches like Quenneville and Randy Carlyle didn’t have nearly as strong of HHOF cases as players as Brind’Amour does.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
This is exactly what to expect here—a complete connection with Iceland’s toughest terrain, best enjoyed during the warmer months between May and September.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Popular culture really likes to lionize chosen families.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
9 June 2026
-
Advertisement In fact, Thomas, the Middlebury College psychology professor, notes that chosen solitude can replenish us.—
Rainesford Stauffer,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferred. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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