Synonyms of preferred

preferred 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈfərd 

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

• selected
• select
• favorite
• favored
• chosen
• elect
• choice
• picked
• first-line
• handpicked
• of choice
• cherry-picked
• fashionable
• exclusive
• screened
• weeded (out)
• culled
• winnowed (out)
• picked over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• average
• ordinary
• commonplace
• run-of-the-mill

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

• liked
• favored
• enjoyed
• chose
• wanted
• picked
• selected
• desired
• cared (for)
• leaned (toward or towards)
• went in for
• relished
• appreciated
• was partial to
• adored
• fancied
• delighted (in)
• admired
• named
• craved
• wished (for)
• coveted
• dug
• grooved (on)
• biased
• culled
• took
• singled (out)
• prejudiced
• valued
• reveled (in)
• tended (to)
• handpicked
• cherished
• inclined (toward)
• cottoned (to)
• prized
• treasured
• hankered (for or after)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disliked
• hated
• loathed
• detested
• abhorred
• refused
• rejected
• declined
• turned down
• misliked
• disfavored
• discarded
• abominated
• jettisoned
• threw away
• threw out

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

• selected
• chose
• picked
• named
• elected
• took
• designated
• opted (for)
• culled
• tagged
• singled (out)
• handpicked
• accepted
• nominated
• adopted
• cherry-picked
• appointed
• preselected
• marked
• tapped
• embraced
• set
• fixed
• espoused
• settled (on or upon)
• tabbed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refused
• rejected
• declined
• turned down
• disapproved
• repudiated
• discarded
• spurned
• negatived
• threw out
• jettisoned
• threw away

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preferred

Adjective

Under Option 1, labeled as the administration’s preferred choice, the district would close Western Hills, Mabelvale and McDermott elementary schools. — Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2026

However, the threat has only grown in complexity, as other foreign adversaries, including Iran, have ramped up efforts to undermine confidence in the American electoral system and advocate for their preferred candidates and policies. — Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

Sixty percent of global respondents who preferred economic ties with China believed as much, compared with 20 percent who think the United States is the world’s leading economic power. — Adam Y. Liu, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026

Nicole Bandera, Garcia’s lifelong friend, recalled how even in the age of texting, Garcia preferred to talk on the phone. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026