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
Doctors and medical groups have said acetaminophen is the preferred treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy, and Kenvue has long said that Tylenol is safe. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Waymo and Uber partnership watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 24 July 2026
Verb
Distilled water lacks essential minerals, so tap water is generally preferred for overall health. — Laura Schober, Health, 16 July 2026 Some fans wore giant Viking horns, while others preferred T-shirts with giant black stripes across the middle. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 July 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
  • As portal season approached this year, Iowa considered all options and liked the progress of its younger prospects.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • His critics liked to point out that the team’s weaknesses were partly his own doing, a consequence of his demands.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
Definition of liked
Verb
  • The mercury telluride colloidal quantum dots the Chinese team picked for their device behave differently.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
  • To help those contemplating a foreign move get started, Forbes has picked 96 attractive retirement locales across 24 different countries on five continents.
    — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of picked
Adjective
  • Designed under the direction of Saint Laurent Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello, the cooler is being sold exclusively through select Saint Laurent Rive Droite stores and online via the Saint Laurent Rive Droite website.
    — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026
  • Monterosso is just one stop (five minutes) away on the Cinque Terre Express, and the seasonal ferry service between the villages also makes select calls in Levanto.
    — Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
Definition of select
Verb
  • Team Spoon is slightly favored to beat Team Coop, with four-time MVP Wilson headlining a starting lineup that also features breakout rookie Miles and superstar Clark.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • If this year goes the way the past two have gone, Winter Park would likely make the Open 8, instead of being favored to win another state title.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
Definition of favored
Adjective
  • Her children are named Orlando and Ophelia after the place where her son was conceived and her favorite Taylor Swift song, respectively.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 July 2026
  • Readers cast 661,000 votes this year for their favorite cities, airlines, hotels and more, with editors describing the rankings as a snapshot of places resonating with travelers today.
    — Kimberly Tutuska, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Definition of favorite
Verb
  • The extraordinary allegation offers a window into the waning days of an increasingly hostile primary race to replace Kelly, who has enjoyed broad popularity throughout her eight years in office.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The polar bears, who were born in Nuremberg, Germany, 16 years ago and have adapted to the European climate, were the ones who enjoyed it the most.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preferred

Nglish: Translation of preferred for Spanish Speakers

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