1
as in liking
to show partiality toward
I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in selecting
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 preferring
Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Their anger boils down to preferring that shareholders follow the lead of boards of directors and other corporate managers rather than the analysis of independent third parties.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The nonprofit organization has never had a permanent home, preferring to produce site-specific exhibits in places near and far.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
According to Boparai, his pizzeria has already amassed many regulars, with some saying they’ve been fully converted to fusion pizzas, preferring them over a traditional pepperoni or supreme pie.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For instance, certain combinations of genes can lead individual fruit flies to have widely different temperature preferences, with some liking colder temperatures and others preferring it warm.
—Shraddha Lall, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Many American policymakers have grown skeptical of multilateral engagement, preferring to focus inward.
—Sergio Alonso Fernández De Córdova Y De Veyga, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman only occasionally hits on the field, preferring to work in the cage.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
Indeed, Historian Robert O’Byrne explains that the British public did not always care about fashion, preferring traditional design staples in fabrics like tweed, and regarding designer clothing as frivolous.
—Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Tight ends fiercely preserve their own history and the nuances of their position, preferring peer-to-peer coaching to more traditional coach/player dynamics.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Their anger boils down to preferring that shareholders follow the lead of boards of directors and other corporate managers rather than the analysis of independent third parties.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The nonprofit organization has never had a permanent home, preferring to produce site-specific exhibits in places near and far.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
According to Boparai, his pizzeria has already amassed many regulars, with some saying they’ve been fully converted to fusion pizzas, preferring them over a traditional pepperoni or supreme pie.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For instance, certain combinations of genes can lead individual fruit flies to have widely different temperature preferences, with some liking colder temperatures and others preferring it warm.
—Shraddha Lall, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Many American policymakers have grown skeptical of multilateral engagement, preferring to focus inward.
—Sergio Alonso Fernández De Córdova Y De Veyga, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman only occasionally hits on the field, preferring to work in the cage.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
Indeed, Historian Robert O’Byrne explains that the British public did not always care about fashion, preferring traditional design staples in fabrics like tweed, and regarding designer clothing as frivolous.
—Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
-
Before long, strangers are watching, liking, and commenting on a moment that was meant to be private.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The Saints’ other wideout of interest, Chris Olave, would likely cost too high a draft pick for the Patriots’ liking.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), or ConsumerLab.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But that goes back to choosing whether to make the right decision or the wrong.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Poway voters are favoring the recall of City Councilmember Tony Blain in early returns Tuesday night.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
California redistricting Proposition 50 would replace California's current congressional lines with a map favoring Democrats.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Valentini praised the team behind the auction houses and highlighted their involvement in the process of selecting the lots.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The government responded by establishing a new facility in California and selecting the site under a committee chaired by aviator Charles Lindbergh.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Austin Reaves is enjoying the best stretch of his NBA career, and Redick has seen contributions from a variety of players night after night.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lomax not only wrote the song but also stars in the commercial, which portrays him enjoying the Biggie Bag combo meal, a scene that turns into a lively celebration of music and food.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Concerned that Barack Obama was running away with the race, John McCain made an impulsive gamble, boldly picking the largely unknown Alaska governor Sarah Palin.—
Time,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In a sneak peek video into Season 12, the cast of employees at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant sets the stage for some dramatic pumping, partying, and picking sides.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
However, Fugarino said the event and the effort is not exclusive to people of faith but is open to anyone wanting to work in support of social and racial justice in Kansas City.—
Mara Williams,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Everybody Scream came out of wanting to go deeper into magic and mysticism.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share