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
James Perkins Mastromarino,
NPR,
24 June 2026
Bergvall has not shown a similar passing arsenal, preferring short exchanges to circulate possession and relying more on his dribbling.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Couto, in his opening address, pushed back on the language of disruption or reset, preferring a more precise term for what APOS captured.
—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Flatheads aren’t built for extended chases like their streamlined cousins, preferring instead to dart out from hiding and devour unwary prey.
—
Keith Sutton,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
But Barclays is staying selective in the sector, preferring Endeavour Mining and Hochschild as both stocks trade on cheaper multiples than Fresnillo , which the analysts say is more fully valued.
—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
Robins Robins don't nest in cavities, preferring to make their homes on horizontal branches or flat surfaces like ledges and eaves.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
Initially, Giles doesn’t tell Buffy and the Scoobies about any of this, preferring to conceal his rebellious youth from the impressionable youngsters.
—
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
Fans preferring to watch inside can head to the popular Brooklyn bowling alley and concert venue on Wythe Ave.
—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2026
Verb
His original character designer, who wasn't involved in the new game, admitted to preferring the Super Mario Galaxy Movie version of Fox to this remake's.
—
James Perkins Mastromarino,
NPR,
24 June 2026
Bergvall has not shown a similar passing arsenal, preferring short exchanges to circulate possession and relying more on his dribbling.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Couto, in his opening address, pushed back on the language of disruption or reset, preferring a more precise term for what APOS captured.
—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Flatheads aren’t built for extended chases like their streamlined cousins, preferring instead to dart out from hiding and devour unwary prey.
—
Keith Sutton,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
But Barclays is staying selective in the sector, preferring Endeavour Mining and Hochschild as both stocks trade on cheaper multiples than Fresnillo , which the analysts say is more fully valued.
—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
Robins Robins don't nest in cavities, preferring to make their homes on horizontal branches or flat surfaces like ledges and eaves.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
Initially, Giles doesn’t tell Buffy and the Scoobies about any of this, preferring to conceal his rebellious youth from the impressionable youngsters.
—
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
Fans preferring to watch inside can head to the popular Brooklyn bowling alley and concert venue on Wythe Ave.
—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
-
At issue today is whether or not liking social media posts is an angerable offence on a reality television program.
-
The double-decker style gives you two stories to personalize to your liking whether a downstairs café and upstairs studio apartment or a guesthouse for visitors.
Verb
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On an album centered on killing ego and embracing growth, the response feels less like avoidance and more like a man choosing peace over proving a point.
-
That means creating an easily navigable layout, incorporating soft, inviting textures and materials, and choosing extra-comfortable furniture.
Verb
-
Large enterprise buyers have typically been suspicious of horizontal platforms that promise to do everything, favoring integrations that slot neatly into existing systems.
-
How that is playing out in terms of stylistic difference will have to be weighed by bootleg-favoring Dylanologists who are more attuned to the subtleties of band interplay.
Verb
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In Buffalo, New York, the 2026 NHL draft action kicked off with the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting Penn State winger Gavin McKenna – a pick most people expected would open the night.
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While selecting pieces for the exhibit, Pacini visited the carousel in storage.
Verb
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Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images As Micron customers try and adjust to a new reality of constantly rising memory prices, investors in the company are enjoying historic profit margins.
-
After a morning of spotty showers, the Twin Cities is enjoying sunshine, a nice breeze and highs in the mid-70s Wednesday.
Verb
-
One of the first tips for picking the perfect melon is its weight.
-
That would take the power of picking your replacement out of the hands of voters.
Verb
-
There’s a lot about wanting to go back in time and change other things in my life.
-
Lyles has not given a reason for her resignation beyond wanting to spend more time with her family.
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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