preferable

adjective

pref·​er·​a·​ble ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce preferable (audio)
ˈpre-fər-bəl
also pri-ˈfər-ə-bəl
: having greater value or desirability : being preferred
preferability
ˌpre-f(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce preferable (audio)
noun

Examples of preferable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Obviously, weak contact is preferable to hitting the ball hard, because that's old school baseball or something. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 But that’s preferable to the movie’s swerve into saccharine grief therapy, as Jay starts communing with Mitt once the dead dad and the whale become a single soul. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 The company is also accused of using an intermediary to bribe public officials to secure preferable treatment from NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Additional options include FluMist, a nasal spray vaccine approved for people age 2 through 49 – which may be preferable to those who want to avoid a shot. — Annette Regan, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferable

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preferable was in 1666

Rhymes for preferable

See All Rhymes for preferable

Browse Nearby Words

preferability
preferable
preferableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preferable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferable. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

preferable

adjective
pref·​er·​a·​ble ˈpref-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce preferable (audio)
ˈpref-ər-bəl
: worthy to be preferred : more desirable
preferability
ˌpref-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce preferable (audio)
noun
preferably
ˈpref-(ə-)rə-blē How to pronounce preferable (audio)
ˈpref-ər-
adverb
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