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
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Recent Examples of preferred
Ricardo Torres, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
So our ingenious answer is to make Idaho the only state with firing squad as its preferred execution method?
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 6 Jan. 2026
The Pats preferred to play out of base personnel for most drives before garbage time.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferred
Adjective
The official Cuban narrative is often saturated with references to external causes of the crisis—with American sanctions as the preferred target—and refuses to acknowledge the outright failure of its economic model and the domestic drivers of the national crisis.
—Ricardo Torres, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
So our ingenious answer is to make Idaho the only state with firing squad as its preferred execution method?
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Said the high view of Paris spreading out was quite a trip, but Dad preferred the boat ride down below on the Seine.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 6 Jan. 2026
The Pats preferred to play out of base personnel for most drives before garbage time.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferred
Adjective
-
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
-
The selected resident will receive a year-long immersive experience, both living and working at Trilith while developing their original project with the guidance of industry professionals.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An article in Naval History described how Loomis liked to demonstrate the ship’s Colt machine guns to local officials.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
As Joseph tried to mesh some of his own system with a more Vic Fangio-style scheme run previously by Ejiro Evero in Denver — a style many of the returning players liked — the new coordinator found himself inside a burning defensive building.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi is prominently featured at the top of the site, alongside members of the House select committee on the riot.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Lenovo plans to roll out Qira on select Lenovo devices in Q1 2026.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Legislation in 2009 that extended self-government to Greenland also recognized a right to independence under international law, an option favored by a majority of Greenlanders.—
Stefanie Dazio,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The controversial Georgia lawmaker was first elected in 2020 and was heavily favored in the conservative district, even before her Democratic challenger abruptly dropped out two months before the election, citing plans to move out of state.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Daniel Lewis and Pete Prisco at CBS Sports both picked New England in close games.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
If only a few in number, they can be hand-picked from the plants and destroyed.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Head to Amazon now to shop even more petite-friendly comfy pants, and keep scrolling to check out the rest of my favorite picks.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Shop more of my favorite winter styles from Amazon, below.—
Lauren Finney Harden,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Shapiro has enjoyed robust public approval ratings and carries a reputation as a disciplined messenger and powerhouse fundraiser.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Yates subsequently joined the San Diego Padres and enjoyed the longest sustained success of his career before bouncing to Atlanta, Texas and the Dodgers over the past three seasons.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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