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

In fact, according to multiple biographers, after becoming Princess of Monaco, Kelly often styled her own hair, preferring a hands-on approach. — Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 These dragonflies live near bodies of water, preferring those with calm currents, like ponds, wetlands, or slow-moving streams. — Rachel Sargent Mirus, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026 But Thatcher left the faith at around 12 — about the same time her father, a lawyer, and mother, a piano teacher, divorced — preferring to spend her Sundays on stage doing matinees. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 That secret-weapon oud knows exactly the role to play in perfumer Francis Kurkdjian’s formula, preferring sophistication over exclamation. — Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026 Three central bank presidents dissented, preferring to raise the target range by a quarter-point. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 This dependency significantly reduces a business's value, as potential buyers view it as a major risk, preferring repeatable commercial systems over individual heroics. — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Tomatoes have similar growing needs to jalapeños, preferring warm temperatures and rich soil. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 July 2026 The Safe Haven star has been open in the past about preferring life in the wilderness over Hollywood. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferring

Verb

Erica Boothby and colleagues named this the liking gap, and found it among strangers in the lab, first-year students in dorms, and adults in public workshops.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
There has to be mutual liking in these community relationships.

— Hannah Harper, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of liking

Verb

Iran rejected how ships were choosing to transit through the Strait of Hormuz and began targeting vessels, and the US responded by launching intensive strikes against Iranian targets.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
How spontaneous is the crew in choosing to, say, send you off on a commuter train in Mumbai?

— Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of choosing

Verb

This, in turn, helps shift weather patterns across the globe, favoring drought in Indonesia and Australia, flooding in parts of South America and many other impacts elsewhere.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
The backdrop has become even tougher as higher Treasury yields and elevated oil prices, which pose a particular problem for energy-importing Japan, restore some of the macro forces favoring the dollar.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of favoring

Verb

There’s also a guest each episode selecting the songs; past curators include longtime Dead publicist Dennis McNally, Phil Lesh’s sons Grahame and Brian Lesh, and others (including this writer).

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026
Kurz said that the field team put careful consideration into selecting each site.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of selecting

Verb

The lodge is usually buzzing with guests playing card games, enjoying daily happy hour, or sitting by the roaring fireplace.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Celebrations began early for Berry, who has been enjoying vacation at the ultra-exclusive and luxury Kokomo private island resort in Fiji with her fiancé Van Hunt.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of enjoying

Verb

Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church members who are facing off in court over control of the College Station congregation will meet Monday to determine the process for picking who gets to preach.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Austria has entered the 2027 Oscar race, picking the Sandra Hüller period drama Rose to represent the country in the best international feature category.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of picking

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preferred

preferring

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“Preferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferring. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of preferring

adjective

verb

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