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
Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
Congress has gradually ceded its war powers to the executive branch, often preferring political safety to constitutional responsibility.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
While other studios have rushed to launch streaming services, some with a great financial risk, Sony opted out, preferring to stay a supplier of TV and film content.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
Rodin gave up acting in his late teens, preferring to bury himself in books and music.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Her late Majesty never wore black tights, preferring nude or brown tights.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Instead, Zeisig treats the project like a beat tape, preferring static mats of sound and dynamically unyielding drifts over crescendoes and catharsis.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Though mostly ground-dwelling and preferring to run, pheasants can perch to avoid predators and reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour when escaping danger.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
In addition, having atypical handedness – such as preferring different hands for different activities – is associated with a range of neurological conditions, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
—Eric Horstick, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
Trump has never appreciated multilateral alliances and organizations, preferring their bilateral counterparts instead.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
Congress has gradually ceded its war powers to the executive branch, often preferring political safety to constitutional responsibility.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
While other studios have rushed to launch streaming services, some with a great financial risk, Sony opted out, preferring to stay a supplier of TV and film content.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
Rodin gave up acting in his late teens, preferring to bury himself in books and music.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Her late Majesty never wore black tights, preferring nude or brown tights.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Instead, Zeisig treats the project like a beat tape, preferring static mats of sound and dynamically unyielding drifts over crescendoes and catharsis.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Though mostly ground-dwelling and preferring to run, pheasants can perch to avoid predators and reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour when escaping danger.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
In addition, having atypical handedness – such as preferring different hands for different activities – is associated with a range of neurological conditions, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
—Eric Horstick, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
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The agents can also teach themselves how to perform new tasks and keep detailed notes about a user’s preferences, allowing the agents to mold themselves to users’ liking over time.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
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The textile strap can be adjusted to your exact liking on each foot, since the fabric is completely permeable.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One fan did not agree with those choosing Arsenal.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Contemporary buttermilk is a poster child for the importance of choosing ingredients with care.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Moreover, favoring big tech over other enterprises is inherently unfair to all those businesses that pay their state sales and use taxes.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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On multiple occasions Friday night, Rodriguez seemed to be favoring his hand after swinging and missing.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The survey said the best barbecue restaurant is Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue, after selecting Arthur Bryant’s in 2025.—
Joseph Hernandez
March 20,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2026
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The clerical body responsible for selecting the new supreme leader announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the new leader on March 8, but he has not been seen in public.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Head’s up—the property is designed to get you out of the rooms and enjoying Baja’s natural wonders, or even the property’s own amenities like the spa, infinity pool, and the open-air common area known as the living room (hammocks, rattan lounge pillows).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
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Then, just to flub any chance for enjoying some dumb fun with a skilled cast hamming it up, the sloppy story grinds the all-too-predictable, all-too-lame whodunit to a halt, as well.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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John Martinez, who spent his childhood summers working on his knees picking prunes that would shake from the trees along Capitol Avenue, remembers Chavez attending a community dance to thank everyone for raising money to help the poor.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
22 Mar. 2026
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So the smell of fresh fruit evokes memories of my mom picking lemons and grapefruit and bringing them into the kitchen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Travis Barker has worked with them, and every song is a Blink 182-level, class clown anthem about hot teachers and not wanting to leave your bedroom.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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The city is also ripe for residents wanting to live somewhere that embraces progressive urban design and planning.—
Amelia Mularz,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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