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 Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026
Imanaga opted not to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic this year, preferring to stay with the Cubs and hone his stuff over the next four weeks of exhibition games.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Francis had largely avoided big, traditionally Catholic European countries during his 12-year pontificate, preferring to visit instead smaller Catholic communities on the peripheries.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
In an age when police detectives took advantage of a clerical staff to type their cases and warrants, Sanders chose to keep a 22-pound, 1950s model Royal manual typewriter on his desk, preferring to type his cases and warrants himself.
—Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Although preferring to be grown in full sun for six to eight hours per day, daylilies will grow in partial shade, just producing fewer blooms.
—Angela England, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
The Chinese authorities reportedly turned down the idea, preferring instead to deal with European leaders one by one, and Macron agreed to come without his EU counterpart.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Both Waller and Miran voted against the January decision, preferring instead another quarter-point cut.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Two members of the rate-setting committee, Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller, dissented from the January decision, preferring another quarter-point cut.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
Hollywood is divided on the deals, with some preferring Netflix because of its public commitments and a relative lack of overlap with WBD, and others Paramount, given David Ellison’s professed love for the business.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026
Imanaga opted not to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic this year, preferring to stay with the Cubs and hone his stuff over the next four weeks of exhibition games.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Francis had largely avoided big, traditionally Catholic European countries during his 12-year pontificate, preferring to visit instead smaller Catholic communities on the peripheries.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
In an age when police detectives took advantage of a clerical staff to type their cases and warrants, Sanders chose to keep a 22-pound, 1950s model Royal manual typewriter on his desk, preferring to type his cases and warrants himself.
—Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Although preferring to be grown in full sun for six to eight hours per day, daylilies will grow in partial shade, just producing fewer blooms.
—Angela England, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
The Chinese authorities reportedly turned down the idea, preferring instead to deal with European leaders one by one, and Macron agreed to come without his EU counterpart.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Both Waller and Miran voted against the January decision, preferring instead another quarter-point cut.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Two members of the rate-setting committee, Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller, dissented from the January decision, preferring another quarter-point cut.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
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Minaj’s Saturday post had significant reach on the X platform, with 14,000-plus comments and more than 117,000 users liking it as of Monday afternoon.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Feb. 2026
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So maybe there’s another surprise at quarterback somewhere across the landscape over the next few months, and maybe teams will end up liking the passing prospects in the 2026 draft more than early projections suggest.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Talent is a leading indicator of success in an organization, and the talent that’s choosing to go to MLS is getting better and better.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
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There’s still a time and place for the pristine glassware, fancy silver, and perfectly arranged centerpieces, but no one is going to judge you if there’s a little dust bunny in the corner or for choosing paper napkins over linen.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He is seen as favoring Christine Lagarde, head of the European Central Bank, to take over WEF, though her huffy exit this year from a dinner stacked with US government officials may make things awkward.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Share prices also pushed higher after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appointed two economists viewed as favoring keeping interest rates low to the board of the central bank.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That’s more than two points higher than the same time period in the 2020 primaries and almost six points higher than the same time period in the 2024 primaries, when voters were selecting party presidential nominees.—
Data Reporter,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
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Rhett Lashlee’s easiest decision of the offseason may have been selecting a replacement for defensive coordinator Scott Symons.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Winners will serve as island custodians, agreeing to basic stewardship responsibilities while enjoying peace, nature, and nearby local communities.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
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Working parents may not be able to carve out the time needed for things like unstructured play or simply enjoying downtime with their kids.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Parents picking the children up from STEM camp will be allowed on the Naval Academy base at the end of the event at Gate 8.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
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These include squatting, hinging, stepping, pushing, pulling and stabilizing your core — the mechanics behind getting up from a chair, picking something up off the floor, opening and closing doors, climbing stairs, and maintaining balance to avoid falls.—
Dana Santas Feb 28,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Again, without at all wanting to be.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Feb. 2026
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If your child brings up wanting a smiley piercing, this is a natural opening to talk about why doing something like this at home, without professional training or sterile equipment, carries serious risks.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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