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
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Recent Examples of preferring
Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
For those preferring something more traditional, the winter garden of the main house (where breakfast is also served) offers all-day classics such as filet de bœuf and the iconic Tarte Tropézienne.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Trump, Obama told people, seemed indifferent to hearing about potential national-security perils—North Korea, Russia—preferring to brag about the size of the crowds at his campaign rallies.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
So the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy seem pretty evenly balanced here despite critics and many vocal fans preferring the original.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Young repeatedly spoke about preferring demanding setups, and Doral gave him exactly that kind of test.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Disadvantages of Using Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets Grewal says there’s nothing wrong with preferring liquid or powder detergent.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Public affairs or current affairs programming are specific broadcast terms, with print media preferring features and analysis to describe similar works.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026
For starters, Duke — like many teams in this era — has moved away from participating in multi-team events (MTEs) in the nonconference, instead preferring to play marquee, standalone games.
—Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Often, Therrien did not give his works descriptive titles, preferring instead that his viewers invest his art with meaning.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
For those preferring something more traditional, the winter garden of the main house (where breakfast is also served) offers all-day classics such as filet de bœuf and the iconic Tarte Tropézienne.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Trump, Obama told people, seemed indifferent to hearing about potential national-security perils—North Korea, Russia—preferring to brag about the size of the crowds at his campaign rallies.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
So the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy seem pretty evenly balanced here despite critics and many vocal fans preferring the original.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Young repeatedly spoke about preferring demanding setups, and Doral gave him exactly that kind of test.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Disadvantages of Using Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets Grewal says there’s nothing wrong with preferring liquid or powder detergent.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Public affairs or current affairs programming are specific broadcast terms, with print media preferring features and analysis to describe similar works.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026
For starters, Duke — like many teams in this era — has moved away from participating in multi-team events (MTEs) in the nonconference, instead preferring to play marquee, standalone games.
—Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
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Additionally, reasons included enjoying the job, liking to work, being bored, and wanting to help others.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
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After six brutal years of struggling to stay afloat, movie theater owners and operators arrived in Las Vegas for CinemaCon finally liking their odds of survival.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Having Last Driver be such a vehicular-centric book led him to being open to changing up its reading style and choosing to put it out in a landscape format.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
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People are building scent wardrobes, not just choosing a single signature.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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In the 47th minute, the Spirit successfully defended a Reign corner kick, but Trinity Rodman went down favoring her right ankle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
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Her first trial ended in a mistrial in 1990 after jurors deadlocked, with two jurors reportedly favoring manslaughter convictions rather than murder.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
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In selecting Norwich, a city centrally located in the eastern part of the state, the team has found a home stadium that looks much different than the large-scale plans Swanston had for a $1 billion waterfront stadium and mixed-use development project in Bridgeport.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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However, the Dolphins were convinced enough about Douglas’ blend of size, speed and athleticism to merit them passing on other receivers, selecting him 75th overall.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
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In other snaps Hough shared, she was seen wearing several different swimsuits while enjoying some fun under the sun.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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Krejczyk and Gagen, meanwhile, are enjoying a season that started rough but has gotten better.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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There is nothing quite like the joy of picking fresh fruit from your own fruit tree.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
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Brooklyn is left picking through the best of the rest in a draft where the drop-off after the top four still feels like a cliff.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Even though there have still been a few moments where his defensive instincts have been found wanting, the club anticipate interest from the Premier League and Europe in a 23-year-old who has proven himself to be low-maintenance and dependable.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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However, coins might be a better fit for collectors or those wanting to actively trade in the gold market.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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