1
as in to like
to show partiality toward
I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to choose
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
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Recent Examples of prefer
According to a September 2024 survey by home repair and maintenance services company Frontdoor, 70 percent of people would prefer to purchase a home in a community without an HOA.
—
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Morse said The Journal-Constitution will offer a new mobile app by the end of the year and will provide an electronic replica edition for subscribers who prefer the experience of the paper edition.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
More than half (55%) of Gen Alpha prefer seeing movies at the cinema with a group of friends, compared to just 31% of Millennials and 40% of Gen Z.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
For those who prefer snacking cherries, sweet cherries, like Stella or Sunburst, are best.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prefer
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Morse said The Journal-Constitution will offer a new mobile app by the end of the year and will provide an electronic replica edition for subscribers who prefer the experience of the paper edition.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
More than half (55%) of Gen Alpha prefer seeing movies at the cinema with a group of friends, compared to just 31% of Millennials and 40% of Gen Z.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
For those who prefer snacking cherries, sweet cherries, like Stella or Sunburst, are best.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prefer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefer
Verb
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The word came more vividly to mind on a recent Thursday hike with friends, including Sarah Donohoe, a neighbor who like me is a newspaper columnist.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
27 Aug. 2025
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Preferably, Villa would have liked to sign last season’s loanees Marcus Rashford and Asensio — the latter deal may well materialise this week — but did not have the resources to do so at the start of the summer.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If anything, the past year has been about figuring out how to choose my battles a bit more.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
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Even if somebody else is paying the bill, the client chooses the lawyer.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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By contrast, retirees enjoy a financial edge in Washington State, Utah, Montana and Colorado, where residents enjoy high retirement income and expenses that, while not low, are relatively manageable.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
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But many years, the lakes are not safe to enjoy.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Begin by selecting a theme, gathering inspiration, and determining details such as location, guest count, and menu.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Aug. 2025
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Both QBs enter their final season with a chance to be the first senior quarterback selected in 2026.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The poll showed Sherrill winning the support of 46 percent of the likely voters, Ciattarelli garnering 39 percent, 12 percent not sure and 2 percent favoring others.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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My mom has always favored my brothers financially.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Forensic analysis of the bets placed, though, was enough to pick holes in the FA’s evidence.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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Big Sky, Montana Swift and Kelce have previously gone on romantic retreats to Big Sky – even being linked to the highly exclusive, members-only Yellowstone Club – so the couple could pick the luxurious mountain community as a serene wedding destination.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For decades, conventional wisdom said Americans didn’t want affordable housing in their own communities.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Every other player in college football pales compared to the want-to-see hype.—
Eduardo Razo,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefer. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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