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
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
Bairstow was one of the players who usually didn’t visit the lunch room, preferring to eat in the changing room.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 June 2026
Saret was avowedly disinterested in the market mechanics of the art world, preferring largely to avoid fairs and biennials.
—News Desk, Artforum, 3 June 2026
Meanwhile, those who switched to preferring remote work often spoke of personal arrangements as a key driver.
—Alanah Mitchell, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
Verb
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
Bairstow was one of the players who usually didn’t visit the lunch room, preferring to eat in the changing room.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 June 2026
Saret was avowedly disinterested in the market mechanics of the art world, preferring largely to avoid fairs and biennials.
—News Desk, Artforum, 3 June 2026
Meanwhile, those who switched to preferring remote work often spoke of personal arrangements as a key driver.
—Alanah Mitchell, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
-
Natalie’s politician father-in-law, Doug, only seems to invoke his faith for aesthetics, to flavor his political ambitions to his constituents’ liking.—
Kyley Sitton,
Washington Post,
18 June 2026
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However, there isn’t necessarily a consistent color for grass between stadiums and broadcasters, meaning pixel-peeping viewers might need to tweak their settings to their own liking for each match .—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
McCarthy doesn’t paint Alex and Ethan as perfect allies or perfect victims, instead choosing to explore the shortcomings in their friendship through mostly gender-neutral growing pains.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
-
Langley has recruited women to open for every date, choosing Gabriella Rose, Kaitlin Butts, Avery Anna, Laci Kaye Booth, and Madeline Edwards for the tour, which kicked off in May and concludes this August in, appropriately, Texas.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2026
Verb
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For Club name DuPont, analysts like the company's strategy of favoring its healthcare and water businesses but don't see enough total growth to give it a buy.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
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Jennifer Garner previously opted for comfy-looking joggers that show off cute shoes, while Olivia Wilde, Shay Mitchell, and Kate Moss have been favoring wide-leg styles that are equal parts tailored and breezy.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Tossing a Tide pod inside your washing machine, selecting your preferred wash cycle, and pressing start sounds simple enough.—
Katelyn Chef,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
-
Leaders often devote significant attention to selecting the right platforms, tools, and vendors while overlooking the learning systems necessary to support adoption, experimentation, knowledge sharing, and workforce capability development.—
Michael Edmondson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
For the most part, the Croatia and England fans were a happy, cheerful bunch, sporting their teams colors, chanting happy tunes and enjoying the unique experience.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
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That means players, staff and coaches are off to parts unknown enjoying their summer break.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Is that enough to force Roberts into the uncomfortable position of picking one of his aces over another, like a father picking one of his sons over another?—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Another logistic that should be considered ahead of time is picking the route.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Haiti on Tuesday wanting to deliver a message of reassurance to the Haitian people amid surging gang violence, rising displacement and deepening hunger.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
Or have been found wanting in some way.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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