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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of preferring
Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2024
But Sweeney has remained mostly mum about her relationship, preferring to keep the details of it to herself and rarely sharing photos of the two on social media.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024
One of the curators, preferring not to say in Arthiridis’s presence, shuts him out and turns this open colloquy into a closed-door meeting.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Some species eat seagrass, though, preferring to remain vegetarian.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2024
Historically, the Bulls have been against tanking, preferring instead to optimize winning, but as lately failed to present a product that could justify those aspirations.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
China, so far, has used a subtler and more risk-averse strategy, preferring stability that is conducive to building economic ties and influence.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2018
The United States, meanwhile, mostly disengaged from the region after the end of the Kosovo conflict, preferring to outsource the heavy lifting to Europe.
—Jeffrey Mankoff, Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2017
Verb
This was a great move for Datejust buyers who didn’t want or need a date, preferring instead a simple and symmetrical dial unhindered by a magnifying cyclops.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2024
But Sweeney has remained mostly mum about her relationship, preferring to keep the details of it to herself and rarely sharing photos of the two on social media.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024
One of the curators, preferring not to say in Arthiridis’s presence, shuts him out and turns this open colloquy into a closed-door meeting.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Some species eat seagrass, though, preferring to remain vegetarian.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2024
Historically, the Bulls have been against tanking, preferring instead to optimize winning, but as lately failed to present a product that could justify those aspirations.
—Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
China, so far, has used a subtler and more risk-averse strategy, preferring stability that is conducive to building economic ties and influence.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2018
The United States, meanwhile, mostly disengaged from the region after the end of the Kosovo conflict, preferring to outsource the heavy lifting to Europe.
—Jeffrey Mankoff, Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring
Verb
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The key to success lies in choosing the right type of air purifier withappropriate filtration technology.Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
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But intentionally looking for cyclists or choosing to drive unaware can be the difference between life and death for someone who’s just trying to get home.Emily Pape, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The Roman allegory — in which Cesar aspires to change his government while fulfilling his creative hubris, enjoying the perks of fickle celebrity — is both inexact and unoriginal.Armond White, National Review, 4 Oct. 2024
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Still, that hasn’t stopped its owner, Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie, from enjoying it.Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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These racists were then able to spin a narrative about how Black players were picking on Clark, relying on all the racist stereotypes of Black people as dangerous, violent, and treacherous.Susan M. Shaw, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
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Governments often do a poor job of picking winners.Ryan Craig, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near preferring
Cite this Entry
“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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