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
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
As time goes on without definitive answers on refunds, Harrell sees more companies taking actions like selling the rights to their claims, preferring to pocket money now instead of waiting for a sum later down the line.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
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
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
As the sun set on Saturday, McIlroy declined the invitation to speak with reporters in an extended media session, preferring instead to return to the range.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
As time goes on without definitive answers on refunds, Harrell sees more companies taking actions like selling the rights to their claims, preferring to pocket money now instead of waiting for a sum later down the line.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
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
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
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Henley has struggled on approach since the American Express, which is the only thing holding me back from really liking him this week.—
Dennis Esser,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
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At April’s First Thursday event, Proll came with her dog Oliver, which took a particular liking to UConn freshman Nalini Coipel.—
Mikayla Bunnell,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shop sustainable swaps for earth month Making sustainable swaps this Earth Month means choosing reusable, low-waste and eco-friendly alternatives to everyday products.—
Casey DelBasso,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Students apply for it in their junior year, and are tasked with randomly choosing a decade to design head-turning fashion.—
Chris Wragge,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The justices recognized that Colorado had crossed a constitutional line by favoring one set of ideas while silencing another.—
Jeffrey S. Trimbath,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Apr. 2026
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The results showed that seventy-nine percent support some form of intervention, with some favoring toppling the regime and others wanting to deal with the humanitarian crisis, highlighting a range of priorities within the community.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Franciscan Alliance is in the process of selecting an administrative staff of physicians and experienced medical school leaders to complete the planning process.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
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Blaney also ruled that the recorder’s office is responsible for overseeing in-person early voting, among other duties, while the board is responsible for other operations, such as selecting Election Day voting locations, supplying polling locations and hiring poll workers.—
Josh Kelety,
Twin Cities,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During the monthlong co-op project, Frazier said, people started checking out CD’s from the library, and enjoying arts and crafts nights, live music and the board game Bananagrams.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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His latest best seller, The Meaning of Your Life, aims to help anyone who finds that, even while enjoying successes by many measures, their existence feels empty.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With the Chicago Bears picking toward the end of the first round for the first time in years, their NFL draft scenarios are numerous.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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When picking an airplane drink, water is the only one that actually solves a problem.—
Jill Robbins,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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People talk about wanting authenticity, wanting discovery, wanting to support small producers, but then skip the wines that aren’t already on a majority of lists or highly rated.—
Maryam Ahmed,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
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This could be a model for other states wanting to boost rural development, support farmers and increase healthy food supply to people facing food insecurity.—
Rajiv J. Shah,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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