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 Jim would prefer that the company buy back shares rather than invest in more companies. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 About 30% of rural Texas voters prefer Talarico to Paxton, according to recent polls, which means the attorney general still has a significant lead with voters outside cities and suburbs. — Eleanor Dearman updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026 Contextually aligned ads increase recall by up to 40%, and 94% of consumers prefer them to ads based solely on identity or browsing history. — Jon Kirchner, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Black voters still prefer former Vice President Kamala Harris, another potential 2028 contender, over Newsom, according to an Emerson College poll from May. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prefer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefer

Verb

Right now the only person who likes Heather is Carmella, and that’s because Heather is throwing some work Carmella’s way and trying to find a law school apartment for her daughter Cat.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Nvidia reported blowout financial results on Wednesday , giving Wall Street analysts even more reasons to like its stock.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of like

Verb

Shop the Patio Zen Deck Box in black or gray and choose from 16 capacities ranging from 30 to 320 gallons.

— Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Festivalgoers were never forced to choose between artists, as sets were separated by 10-minute breaks, preventing overlap.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

For the property, owner Jo Ellard selected 400 paintings, collages, photos, and sculptures sourced from antiques sales, Art Basel shows around the world, and her own private collection.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Miami then sent the Green Bay Packers a 2028 sixth-round pick for Kyle McCord, a former Syracuse standout the Eagles selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

— Omar Kelly August 30, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of select

Verb

Although Edouard is not forecast to become a hurricane, the hurricane center has warned coastal residents to closely monitor the forecast as the storm is in an area of warmer than normal water and low wind shear, which favor strengthening.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, who studies cases involving vaccine disputes, told me that judges sometimes favor the pro-vaccine parent, but not always.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of favor

Verb

Allergists recommend bypassing diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and instead, picking your favorite nonsedating antihistamine pill, like fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), according to the World Allergy Organization.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
For some Donalds supporters, like 56-year-old Cushing from Aventura, the choice to pick a Cuban American as lieutenant governor did signal a bigger change in the Republican Party and was worth highlighting.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of pick

Verb

The league also wants to make players eligible for the Rule 5 draft earlier in their careers.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Hammack voted to raise rates at the Fed’s last meeting in July, but she was outvoted by fellow members of the Federal Open Market Committee who wanted to keep them steady.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of want

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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of prefer

verb

Example Sentences

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