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
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
But Dobrez has no plans to stream his documentary, preferring that screenings remain community events.
—Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Two officials dissented from Wednesday’s decision, with Governors Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller preferring another quarter-point reduction.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Two officials dissented from the decision, with Governors Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller preferring another quarter-point reduction.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Rahman appears soft-spoken and introverted, preferring to listen rather than hold court.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
In December, Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee cast dissenting votes on the Fed’s decision to cut rates in December, preferring to keep them unchanged instead.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
The husband never stayed with his wife, preferring to sleep in his car or on a couch in the building’s lobby, neighbors said.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
As The Athletic detailed at the start of the month, Everton did not expect to be busy in the January window, preferring where possible to keep their powder dry until the summer.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
But Dobrez has no plans to stream his documentary, preferring that screenings remain community events.
—Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Two officials dissented from Wednesday’s decision, with Governors Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller preferring another quarter-point reduction.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Two officials dissented from the decision, with Governors Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller preferring another quarter-point reduction.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Rahman appears soft-spoken and introverted, preferring to listen rather than hold court.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
A lot of this involves watchfulness—noticing what the preferring mind (that is, the editing mind) as put in place, and accepting it, and building upon it.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
In December, Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee cast dissenting votes on the Fed’s decision to cut rates in December, preferring to keep them unchanged instead.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
The husband never stayed with his wife, preferring to sleep in his car or on a couch in the building’s lobby, neighbors said.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
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To top things off, it’s almost been a month since our conversation about the guy liking me.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
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The answer is, not very, although at least liking lesbians enough to laugh with and not at their culture surely counts as a prerequisite.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Despite defeat, and a nasty fall, Anne would return to England at the end of the Games, paying homage to her country and the spirit of the British team by choosing to wear their uniform, a light blue suit with white hat, during the trip.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
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Soil and Water When choosing a place in your yard for skeleton flower plants, select loamy, well-drained, yet moist soil that is rich in organic matter—think forest floor, not a sunny vegetable garden.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though series results aren’t generally an indicator of how the two global powers fare once a gold medal is on the line, the results raised eyebrows over a potential shift in power favoring the Americans.—
John Wawrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Recent studies have raised concerns about officiating consistency favoring certain teams.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The timing of the election initially prompted concern from Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog, who expressed the opinion that selecting a candidate to fill the seat now would enable that individual to claim to be the incumbent, thereby giving them an edge in the election.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
When selecting art, don't get caught up in arbitrary rules.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Raina and her clumber spaniel, Pancake, arrived in New York via indirect flights and had been enjoying taking in the city.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Before the attack, Williams had been enjoying all the joys of motherhood.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That’s impressive for a rebuilding team, but is anyone picking the Ducks over the Oilers in a playoff series?—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Only Nick Brinkerhoff is picking the Seahawks to win in blowout fashion, by a score of 34-17.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Blenkarn and Lim also spoke in an interview prior to the show of wanting to re-create the sensation of gathering around a television and passing a controller back and forth among family or friends while offering commentary on someone’s play style.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Panthers went into those games not just wanting to win, but to bury the opposition.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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