predilection

noun

ˌpre-də-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce predilection (audio)
Definition of predilectionnext
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Phillies have tried to balance their predilection toward riskier, high-ceiling players with the college pitchers. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Thankfully, there’s a wonderful piece of technology called AI out there that’s perfect for realizing the juvenile aesthetic predilections of stunted creatives who want to wallow in an imagined idea of what the past was like. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 July 2026 Specifically more in the air and more to leftfield, given his past predilection to focus on the right side of the field, with his high-contact, low-strikeout approach that seems a contradiction to his muscular, slugger-type build. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Up until now, Rodrigo’s style reflected that musical predilection, with the singer’s rotation of plaid miniskirts and platform boots often landing as a hybrid mix between Gwen Stefani and Cher Horowitz. — Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for predilection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predilection
  1. tendency
  2. inclination
  3. aptitude
  4. devices
  5. affinity
  6. affection
Noun
  • There is a tendency for gloom to descend when thinking about Europe’s economic and business prospects.
    — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Bonnell The enthusiast’s approach Bonnell’s team uses matters because electric motorcycles have an annoying tendency to make power delivery either spectacularly good or spectacularly stupid.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • The film’s procedural aspect ticks along just fine, holding the attention without subverting expectations, and carried by actors who, much like the detectives in this case, are ultra-capable professionals with no inclination to go rogue on us.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Collectively, that inclination could lead to bills soaring ever higher.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • This position — especially once assistant head coach Frank Smith arrived — requires immense mental aptitude.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • How could King draw with such aptitude and still struggle to talk?
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of aptitude
Noun
  • Instead, Cramer pointed to Cook's ability to sustain the iPhone's appeal and keep consumers coming back through successive generations of premium devices.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Infecting already compromised devices Research published Monday brings the threat into much clearer view.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of devices
Noun
  • As opposed to infantile regression, the oceanic feeling can also be understood as a means of recapturing a repressed sense of relation, connection, affinities.
    — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Bellow felt an affinity with Kennedy’s combination of low-life high jinks, human frailty, and virtuoso style.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of affinity
Noun
  • King seemed stranded in a faraway world, tortured by a discomfort that no amount of affection could soothe.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Globe is reporting that just as fans have been rolling their eyes at the couple’s displays of affection, so has Furness.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of affection

Browse Nearby Words

predicts
predilection
predilections
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predilection. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All