PREFERRING Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

preferring 1 of 2

adjective

as in choosing

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

preferring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of prefer

as in liking

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in selecting

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 preferring

Verb

Many reported preferring viewing things in movie theaters or on big screens because of how immersive those experiences felt. — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2026 International outrage over the carnage in Gaza, meanwhile, has largely subsided, with many countries preferring a failing peace process to none at all. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 While wealthy watch buyers can easily afford the extra tax, some are preferring to hold off on purchases or deliveries until the tariff is lifted or lowered, industry analysts say. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026 But for those preferring an LLM-free life, user can program the unit with MicroPython and Arduino C++. — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026 When a text means something more The café example is an easy one to dismiss as younger workers preferring texting and feeling that phone calls are for important occasions only. — Jeff Leblanc, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 The first part of the process happens in a fight camp, with Rickards preferring to start work between eight and 12 weeks from a bout. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Trump rejected this approach, preferring to embrace the Democratic strategy of making the midterm election about him. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026 Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said some members of his caucus plan to skip Dallas, preferring to stay home and campaign for reelection, but many of them will make an appearance. — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring

Verb

Simply liking someone, feeling close to them or spending hours together isn’t enough to create an attachment relationship.

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Their incoming new owner inspired huge enthusiasm among fans by ‘liking’ the club’s Instagram post celebrating the victory.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of liking

Verb

Price optimization means choosing prices that advance business goals, such as increasing profits, attracting shoppers or clearing unsold goods.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Traditionally, choosing a nozzle size involves a compromise between detail and speed.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of choosing

Verb

With department stores in turmoil, Kuryshchuk advised emerging designers to reconsider wholesale, favoring partnerships with larger companies.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2026
More than 130 million voters were deleted during the revision but the Election Commission has denied favoring any party and said wrongly deleted voters can re-enrol.

— Reuters, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of favoring

Verb

Because mRNA vaccines can be developed and manufactured more quickly than traditional shots, scientists could wait until later in the year before selecting which influenza strains to target.

— Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
This includes selecting suitable cutting tools, refining machining procedures, and incorporating robotic arms into assembly tasks.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of selecting

Verb

Oaksmith, the whisky Suntory blended for the Indian market and launched in 2019, has been gaining market share, while Jim Beam is enjoying double-digit growth in India.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Our staffer’s been enjoying back pocket recipes lately—with the first one inspired by Richard Olney, the Iowan painter, food writer, and Parisian ex-pat.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoying

Verb

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
The farm’s famous U-Pick strawberries are expected to be ready for picking Thursdays through Saturdays by Christmas in the adjacent property.

— Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of picking

Verb

Voters wanting to avoid long lines can use the site to find wait times and the nearest polling place.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026
Engelbert was proud of all she's accomplished in her seven-year plus tenure as commissioner, but stopped short of wanting to discuss her own mark on the league.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of wanting

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preferring

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“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of preferring

adjective

verb

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