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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preferred
Jay Gabler, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
Colonoscopy remains the preferred screening test for colorectal cancer.
—Andrea Dwyer, The Conversation, 30 May 2026
Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Havertz might be preferred at No 9 given the technical level of Arsenal’s opposition, as well as PSG’s pressing capabilities, which might require longer passes into the front line to circumnavigate.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferred
Adjective
After the senate endorsement, delegates soldiered on to select Nate George as their preferred candidate for state auditor.
—Jay Gabler, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
Colonoscopy remains the preferred screening test for colorectal cancer.
—Andrea Dwyer, The Conversation, 30 May 2026
Verb
Ryan Gosling, 2024 The original gentleman who preferred blondes?
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Havertz might be preferred at No 9 given the technical level of Arsenal’s opposition, as well as PSG’s pressing capabilities, which might require longer passes into the front line to circumnavigate.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 May 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
-
Jonathan liked to drop in on patients, ask how things were going.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Mabe Fratti and Bill Orcutt’s collaboration didn’t begin colorfully or dramatically; Fratti just liked Orcutt and said so publicly, prompting Orcutt to reach out, which resulted in their working—remotely, mostly—on a series of pieces.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
2 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,
30 May 2026
-
Over the coming weeks, select customers in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco will see an option to ride in an Ojai (pronounced oh-hai) for free on the Waymo app.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs are favored to win the NBA Finals at -200 odds (meaning $200 must be wagered to profit $100), according to FanDuel.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Steyer is favored among those under 30 with 36% and white voters at 25%.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The name Namia was also picked as a legacy for Nam’s two sons—the next generation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Three-star offensive lineman Ty Greene picked the Horned Frogs over the likes of Houston, Tulane and Baylor.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Valley Alley offers all your favorite arcade games along with a bowling alley and Topgolf suites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
She was wrapped in a blanket in her favorite chair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
They are best enjoyed from Premium rooms on higher floors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Luka Vuskovic enjoyed an impressive season on loan with Hamburg and caught the attention of clubs across Europe.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
2 June 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 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
