Synonym Chooser

How does the noun predilection contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of predilection are bias, prejudice, and prepossession. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

When could bias be used to replace predilection?

Although the words bias and predilection have much in common, bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

When is it sensible to use prejudice instead of predilection?

The words prejudice and predilection can be used in similar contexts, but prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

When can prepossession be used instead of predilection?

While the synonyms prepossession and predilection are close in meaning, prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of predilection The Emiratis’ deep pockets and their predilection for moving fast with little heed for the consequences have encouraged Abiy’s recklessness and ambition. Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024 Given our predilection for instant gratification, cutting out seeds could alter the American diet for the better. Charlotte Lytton, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024 Frozen and Tangled proved that princess stories could be handled via computer, yet the studio found one of its biggest hits by echoing Pixar’s predilection for mismatched buddies. Josh Spiegel, Vulture, 24 July 2024 This year, only 32.8 percent of Democrats said yes—a substantial decline that comports with their political interests and ideological predilections. Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2021 See all Example Sentences for predilection 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predilection
Noun
  • There is an uncomfortable tendency in tennis to give male coaching teams the credit for their player’s success.
    Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
  • So while the outcry over the severity of McDavid’s suspension may seem excessive to hockey fans outside Oil Country, the numbers suggest that the faithful do have a legitimate grievance about the officials’ tendency to look the other way.
    Carol Schram, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While the natural inclination may be to retreat into silos, to focus on what is within our immediate control, or to compete for limited resources, the challenges of the Intelligent Age cannot be solved in isolation.
    Klaus Schwab, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
  • But Evans argues that, to the contrary, few Germans truly shared such inclinations.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman became the first Black coach to reach the championship game, an overdue development reflective of circumstances, opportunity and Freeman’s own aptitude.
    Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • This soldier’s already showing plenty of aptitude for the spy lifestyle.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Tech-friendly beauty devices will bring on your best glow yet—our must-have pick is the Theraface Pro facial set, at 30% off.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Some services will pay you even if your devices are not working.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Americans' nuanced attitudes toward birthright citizenship Trump won the presidency thanks in part to voters' affinity to Trump's more restrictionist views on immigration, which loomed pretty consistently as the second-most salient issue in the 2024 election after the economy.
    Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2025
  • United fans have long had an affinity for Argentine players, dating back to the treatment of David Beckham upon his return from the 1998 World Cup, drawn from an antipathy towards England’s national team among the club’s match-going support.
    Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Ted's main rival for Mary's affections is Pat Healy (Dillon), a P.I. who's given up the spying life to win Mary's heart.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Both parties, even amid true affection for each other, may get on one another’s nerves, which is normal in any communal living situation, but especially so post-disaster.
    Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near predilection

Cite this Entry

“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predilection. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on predilection

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