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
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Flying used to be seen as a commodity, with 80% of Delta customers preferring whichever airline provided the cheapest or fastest experience, Bastian said.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Nok remains hopeful, preferring not to give much weight to politics.
—Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Its members resist transparency about their decision making, preferring discretion and control.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Great white sharks frequently travel north in the summer and south in the winter, a habit experts suspect has to do with preferring more temperate waters.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
Ghost had a preference for interacting with her aquarist caregiver, sometimes preferring these interactions over eating.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The vote supporting the pay raise was not unanimous as trustees Michael Allman and Phan Anderson voted against it, preferring instead that board members get the maximum allowed by the state of $2,000 per month.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Oddfellow, on the other hand, was cerebral and controlled, preferring to use supernatural powers and mess with people’s minds.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Reticent to question anything from coach Sean Payton as a rookie, Nix began voicing his opinion about preferring uptempo last season.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Flying used to be seen as a commodity, with 80% of Delta customers preferring whichever airline provided the cheapest or fastest experience, Bastian said.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Nok remains hopeful, preferring not to give much weight to politics.
—Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Its members resist transparency about their decision making, preferring discretion and control.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Great white sharks frequently travel north in the summer and south in the winter, a habit experts suspect has to do with preferring more temperate waters.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
Ghost had a preference for interacting with her aquarist caregiver, sometimes preferring these interactions over eating.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The vote supporting the pay raise was not unanimous as trustees Michael Allman and Phan Anderson voted against it, preferring instead that board members get the maximum allowed by the state of $2,000 per month.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Oddfellow, on the other hand, was cerebral and controlled, preferring to use supernatural powers and mess with people’s minds.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
-
And the robot companies’ success hinges in part on people liking the robots.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Yet somehow, in spite of themselves, everyone kind of winds up liking him.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some of Coachella’s most elite attendees won’t spend their day at the actual festival, choosing instead to hop between the many exclusive day parties, powered by brands like Revolve.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Eyewear today balances practicality with style, allowing wearers to refine their look while choosing frames that reflect their everyday style.—
Advertorial,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Eco effort Architects made sure to prioritize sustainability when designing this hotel, favoring energy-efficient technologies and geothermal energy wherever possible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The latest maps made that district more competitive while still favoring Republicans.—
Scott Bauer,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The findings suggest restoration could be improved by selecting or breeding eelgrass better suited to future conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
On Monday, the Project Runway star opted for a different shimmering silhouette, selecting a burgundy frock covered in clear sequins.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize safety when enjoying the surf.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Peaches is described as affectionate and well-balanced — enjoying car rides, treats and quiet time at home.—
Caroline Foreback,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Israel has been hunting him and his comrades, picking them off by airstrike and drone, in surprise attacks that often kill civilians alongside them.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
12 Apr. 2026
-
For a bouquet of two dozen daffodils each week of daffodil season, Shickasheen offers picking passes at $35 per person.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the winter transfer window opened, there was significant interest from clubs wanting to take him on loan, because the player was still not getting many minutes at Barca.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Unions and district remain apart on salary increases, with teachers seeking 17% raises and Local 99 workers — some of the lowest-paid — also wanting stability.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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