PREFERRED Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

preferred 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈfərd

Definition of preferred

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

preferred

2 of 2

verb

past tense of prefer

as in liked

to show partiality toward I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Still, Wall Street may have gotten a preferred political scenario as Democrats are set to take control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Both Refreshers can be customized with guests’ preferred caffeine levels. — Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

Verb

The bank also preferred multinationals over domestic companies and tilted toward lower-volatility stocks where possible, expecting investors to become more cautious. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026 Voters on Tuesday preferred the Winchester Model 1873 rifle as their favorite to become Idaho’s state gun. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferred

Adjective

In selected circumstances, private ownership can provide the time, capital and operating flexibility needed to reposition the business away from quarterly market pressure.

— Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, the first stage can handle different solid rocket motors for pre-selected range, speed, and performance profiles, as well as different booster types and other modular components.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of selected

Verb

Fan mail poured in from children who liked the haircut (a wig at first) and paid little attention to the Cold War.

— Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Then-Tribune editor Jim Squires liked to put his staff in unfamiliar situations, so sending a political cartoonist to Milwaukee to illustrate a World Series game wasn’t deemed too crazy.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of liked

Verb

Voters in Florida, Nevada and Wisconsin also picked their first Black governors while Texans selected their first Latina.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Ingoglia, 55, served in the Florida House for eight years and the state Senate for two before DeSantis picked him to replace Jimmy Patronis in July 2025.

— Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of picked

Verb

Dua Lipa has long favored a midnight manicure, wearing the shade even in the height of summer, when brighter colors and fun decals typically reign supreme.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026
The Jaguars were heavily favored going into the game, as third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano, who took over as the team’s emergency signal caller last week following the injuries to both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, got his first career start.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of favored

Adjective

The bubbly coalition-builder had long been the favorite in the race, leading McKinney by double digits in polls leading up to Tuesday.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Below, a list of some of our favorite early Black Friday rug deals (and their makers).

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of favorite

Verb

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails steps away in a part of the courtyard wrapped in a romantic mauve pink that colored the curtains, custom loungers, and drink tables.

— Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Reflecting on the workshop’s impact, one participant said the SkyWater tour was excellent, the instructors were great, and the teachers enjoyed learning from like-minded educators.

— Debra Gulick, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of enjoyed

Browse Nearby Words

preferments

preferred

preferring

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Style

“Preferred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferred. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of preferred

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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