PREFER Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

prefer

verb

pri-ˈfər

Definition of prefer

as in to like

to show partiality toward I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 prefer Rectal thermometers are preferred for children 3 and under; oral and digital infrared thermometers are both fine choices for anyone older than that. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026 For those who prefer their diamonds with a little more heft, there’s also a wide pavé bangle that makes a convincing argument for leaving the rest of your jewelry at home. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026 Flat panels have their strengths—they’re easier and more attractive for wall-mount installations, for example, and many gamers who also work with spreadsheets or CAD workflows prefer them. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 That stands in direct contrast to attackers such as Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who prefer to move the ball forward quickly. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prefer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefer

Verb

Terry Kay liked to tell the story of how he was coerced into writing his first novel by Pat Conroy, who told his literary agent Kay had written a brilliant manuscript.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
And yet, when CNN Sports asked to speak with people who bet on sports but don’t like prediction markets partnering with sports leagues, teams or athletes themselves, Allison was among the dozens of fans who reached out.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of like

Verb

Starting with a silhouette and buckle, clients choose among materials including satin, leather, patent and suede, as well as colors and finishes.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The hotel has a total of 59 rooms and suites, residences, villas, and houses for guests to choose from, including a few options in the original farmhouse, or stancija.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

People went through the admission and security checkpoints without issues, and the event’s early evening acts enjoyed mostly dry stages with light, intermittent rain.

— Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Patel seemed to enjoy the process, even though many people did not answer their doors and most of those who did had not heard about the election at all.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoy

Verb

Visitors select individual petals, shape them using a thermoforming machine and assemble their own accessory.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
More plausibly, CPUs, GPUs, AI accelerators, HPC and quantum resources will coexist, selected driven by workload economics and suitability.

— Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of select

Verb

The new spending comes as the group pauses ads in Georgia and North Carolina, states where Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Roy Cooper are favored to win.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
By comparison, Iowa favored Trump by a margin of 13 percentage points in 2024.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of favor

Verb

The broadcaster and champion of the high street, who transformed the fortunes of Harvey Nichols, picks her favourites.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 16 Oct. 2026
While the three were picking their way through a clump of trees at the far end of the cornfield, half a dozen does came out of the willows single file, walked under my platform within six yards of me, and started to feed.

— Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of pick

Browse Nearby Words

prefatory

prefer

preferably

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefer. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prefer

verb

Example Sentences

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