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

Aguirre, now 67, may not fit the profile of clubs’ preferred managerial shortlists. — Colin Millar, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Of SpaceX’s 78 launches of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy this year, this was just the third carrying a payload heading for geostationary orbit, once the preferred destination for nearly all commercial communications satellites. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026

Verb

As a result, they’re preferred for side-by-side learning or as a tool during supervised instruction or practice. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

The move stops short of the immediate transfer of Patriots to Ukraine that Kyiv would have preferred, but nevertheless is welcome news to European officials hoping for more US help against Russia. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 8 July 2026