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.
But those same factors are why a seven- or eight-year deal — like Montreal did with Ivan Demidov — would have been far preferable for San Jose and Chicago, locking in their franchise centerpieces for as long as possible. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Both to our minds are less than ideal, although the former is significantly worse than the preferable latter. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 The Secretary of Defense (now known as the Secretary of War) proposes a nuclear strike as a precautionary response, but the team decides that nuclear annihilation is scarcely preferable to a new pandemic. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 That’s vastly preferable to their endless, agonizing string of errors of omission. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 July 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 5 Aug. 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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