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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of preferred
Zach Berman, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
However, the astronauts had ample time to weigh in on their preferred meals.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Anderson Tepper, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
League officials all the way on up to perhaps even commissioner Roger Goodell preferred that the Tush Push be banned.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferred
Adjective
Rather, his preferred strategy was to avoid the topic with the same stock answer.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
However, the astronauts had ample time to weigh in on their preferred meals.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Mexican government—despite viewing the Apaches as citizens—were particularly brutal with them, a part of their history the Mexicans have preferred to overlook.
—Anderson Tepper, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
League officials all the way on up to perhaps even commissioner Roger Goodell preferred that the Tush Push be banned.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferred
Adjective
-
The gist, however, seems to be that extra-terrestrials make contact with a selected few, before promising to go public to the entire world — good luck dealing with the ramifications of that one, human race!—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
-
The selected cohort—Diamond Batiste, Ciara Boniface, Jeremy Hsing, Alejandra López and Brittany Alexia Young—were chosen from nearly 1,000 submissions, placing them at the forefront of a new chapter in cinematic storytelling.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hana liked it enough to take some home, which in the Test Kitchen is a ringing endorsement!—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Moore move was made to bring in a player the Eagles liked coming out of college, but who has not yet capitalized on his traits in the NFL.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On select tours, a day-two agenda ventures deeper into the primary forest.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
-
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,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jews who were unaffiliated or who attended Reform synagogues largely favored the process, which created areas of limited Palestinian self-governance, whereas a majority of Orthodox Jews, who lean conservative, opposed it.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Asked about their preferred candidate in a 2028 GOP primary for president, 53% of those polled favored Vance and 35% favored Secretary of State Marco Rubio.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both are projected to be picked in the top 10 in the NBA draft.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In-season produce is picked at peak ripeness, which means higher vitamin and mineral content, better flavor and lower prices driven by seasonal abundance.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When video streaming platforms were first launched, they were marketed as an affordable way to watch your favorite movies without the interruption of an ad break.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Your favorite place for creative pastries and delicious bread.—
Kayla Samoy,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Despite being bothered by his elbow throughout the 2025 campaign, Rodón enjoyed his best season with the Yankees last year.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Bencoglu also enjoyed the warmth of the home supporters on Tuesday.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But his chosen career path ended his life — and nearly killed his heartbroken father, who suffered a stroke upon hearing the news that his son had been gunned down.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
29 July 2025
-
Costello’s donates products to community raffles and fundraisers, allowing chosen charities to select any item in the store worth up to $100 for their events.—
Mike Klingaman,
Baltimore Sun,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preferred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferred. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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