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
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The overtures backfired, with Sheridan preferring a less corporate approach.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
But most reports refer to Booker preferring his whiskey around six to seven years old, which is the age that his namesake brand is bottled at to this day.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
By the 1970s and ’80s, the Obituary, like many classic cocktails, had lost popularity among a generation who rebelled against the drinks of their parents, preferring sweeter concoctions like the Long Island Iced Tea and Slippery Nipple.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Tight ends fiercely preserve their own history and the nuances of their position, preferring peer-to-peer coaching to more traditional coach/player dynamics.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Their anger boils down to preferring that shareholders follow the lead of boards of directors and other corporate managers rather than the analysis of independent third parties.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
According to Boparai, his pizzeria has already amassed many regulars, with some saying they’ve been fully converted to fusion pizzas, preferring them over a traditional pepperoni or supreme pie.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For instance, certain combinations of genes can lead individual fruit flies to have widely different temperature preferences, with some liking colder temperatures and others preferring it warm.
—Shraddha Lall, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Last season’s Celtics forced the fourth-fewest turnovers and ranked 24th in opponent turnover rate, preferring to defend conservatively and limit free-throw attempts.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The overtures backfired, with Sheridan preferring a less corporate approach.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
But most reports refer to Booker preferring his whiskey around six to seven years old, which is the age that his namesake brand is bottled at to this day.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
By the 1970s and ’80s, the Obituary, like many classic cocktails, had lost popularity among a generation who rebelled against the drinks of their parents, preferring sweeter concoctions like the Long Island Iced Tea and Slippery Nipple.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Tight ends fiercely preserve their own history and the nuances of their position, preferring peer-to-peer coaching to more traditional coach/player dynamics.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Their anger boils down to preferring that shareholders follow the lead of boards of directors and other corporate managers rather than the analysis of independent third parties.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
According to Boparai, his pizzeria has already amassed many regulars, with some saying they’ve been fully converted to fusion pizzas, preferring them over a traditional pepperoni or supreme pie.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For instance, certain combinations of genes can lead individual fruit flies to have widely different temperature preferences, with some liking colder temperatures and others preferring it warm.
—Shraddha Lall, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
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Khattar recalled first liking science in sixth grade when her grandmother, who had been a science teacher in India, showed her the diagram of a heart.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Sixteen squirrels from 16 state parks competed for the title of Fat Squirrel Week Champ, with fans casting votes by liking and commenting on photos posted to each park’s Facebook page.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), or ConsumerLab.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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But that goes back to choosing whether to make the right decision or the wrong.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The redistricting targets five Republican representatives and would create more Democratic seats in California, thus neutralizing a Republican-favoring redistricting plan in Texas.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, the broader mule trend has stayed minimal — Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, and others favoring thin straps and low, polished heels.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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According to researchers at Penn State’s Materials Research Institute, the characteristics of nanotubes can be precisely tuned by selecting specific atomic compositions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Get the most from your investment by selecting trees that provide year-round beauty.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Austin Reaves is enjoying the best stretch of his NBA career, and Redick has seen contributions from a variety of players night after night.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Lomax not only wrote the song but also stars in the commercial, which portrays him enjoying the Biggie Bag combo meal, a scene that turns into a lively celebration of music and food.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Trump did get the jitters, but responded, as The Atlantic’s Jonathan Chait noted, not by caving on health care but by ranting about the filibuster, ultimately picking a different way of doubling down.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
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Kellenberger pivoted, hiking north until the winter weather hit, and picking back up in March 2025.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Anyone wanting to argue the riches of European films need go no further than the new talents spotlighted at this year’s Seville European Film Festival which launched last year a Rampa section for first and second features and has added short films to its lineup in 2025.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Fans wanting to go to games will enter from Gate 2 on the north side of the football stadium and will go through security screenings there before entering the arena on the south side of the building.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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