1
as in to like
to show partiality toward
I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to choose
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 prefer
Whereas women tend to prefer to maintain friendships distantly through communication methods like texting or phone calls and try to limit in person gatherings.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Gaga rose to fame as something of an exhibitionist, while Warren generally prefers to blend in with the crowd.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
Though her performance as Joan Baez had been nominated at SAG, other precursors passed her over, and with a voting body that now tends to prefer veterans (see Conclave’s Isabella Rossellini), the Top Gun: Maverick actress could have been hamstrung by a lower career profile.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
Another victim, an 85-year-old woman, refused to leave her home as the fast-moving Palisades Fire approached, preferring instead to stay behind with her beloved pets.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prefer 
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Gaga rose to fame as something of an exhibitionist, while Warren generally prefers to blend in with the crowd.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
Though her performance as Joan Baez had been nominated at SAG, other precursors passed her over, and with a voting body that now tends to prefer veterans (see Conclave’s Isabella Rossellini), the Top Gun: Maverick actress could have been hamstrung by a lower career profile.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
Another victim, an 85-year-old woman, refused to leave her home as the fast-moving Palisades Fire approached, preferring instead to stay behind with her beloved pets.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prefer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefer
Verb
-
Don't like a tight parry window or the drop rate of resources?—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Fogelman likes to play around with time to create mysteries within otherwise straightforward narratives, and that’s how Paradise works, introducing little points of confusion and then filling in the backstory with flashbacks to flesh things out.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Rather than revolutionizing its industry through bold, innovative, and risky endeavors, Toyota chose incremental but relentless improvement.—
H. James Wilson and Paul R. Daugherty,
Harvard Business Review,
24 Jan. 2025
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But — and this is a notable but — four of those five lost in the era beween 1945 and 2009, when there were only five best picture nominees and the category’s winner was chosen by a popular vote, as opposed to the preferential, or ranked, ballot that was employed prior to and since that period.—
Scott Feinberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the intervening eight years, Jenny Lewis has enjoyed a successful solo career; she will be rejoined at Just Like Heaven — and other tour dates to follow — by bandmates Blake Sennett, Pierre De Reeder and Jason Boesel.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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Choose between 40 premade meals each week, which are shipped directly to your door, then simply reheat and enjoy.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
When staking up citrus trees, select soft, flexible materials that won’t stretch or break, such as nylon twine and rubber tubing.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Jan. 2025
-
On Tuesday evening, the Jonesboro City Council selected Nabholz Construction to demolish the vacant Citizens Bank building at 100 W. Washington Ave.—
Amir Mahmoud,
arkansasonline.com,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And in a new AP/NORC poll, only 29% favored a tariff on all imports, while 46% were opposed.—
Karlyn Bowman,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Why do the rank-and-file MAGA enthusiasts favor such slim-fit suits when Trump himself often wears things that are quite baggy?—
Vittoria Elliott,
WIRED,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Simon Hill The Best Coffee Subscriptions to Keep You Wired These services deliver freshly roasted, delicious coffee picks right to your door—each with its own twist.—
Adrienne So,
WIRED,
21 Jan. 2025
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Defense company Anduril recently picked Columbus to host its latest Arsenal-1 megafactory, and the city is welcoming the new plant.—
Emily Hamilton,
Axios,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Holly Campbell never wanted or planned to be an Instagram star.—
Kait Hanson,
Glamour,
18 Jan. 2025
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Boarding a train on the London Underground wearing his best bowtie, Gilbert must have assumed at least one person would want to shower him with affection.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near prefer
Cite this Entry
“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefer. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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