PREFERRED Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

preferred 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈfərd

Definition of preferred

as in selected

singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking my preferred means of communication is e-mail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preferred

2 of 2

verb

past tense of prefer

as in liked

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in chose

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 preferred

Adjective

Buckingham knew speediness was Dolly’s preferred gear and started recording during the first scratch vocal. — Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 Trump cannot force Canada to follow his preferred naming convention, however. — Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

Despite his wife’s superstardom, Dean preferred a quiet life out of the spotlight. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 Historically, the two companies haven’t worked closely together as Intel preferred its internal EDA resources, but that has changed under new Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who previously served as CEO and chairman of Cadence. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferred

Adjective

Some cool features include a kill switch that automatically disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection fails, as well as split tunneling that allows selected apps to use the VPN connection while others transmit data in clear text.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
These pre-selected fighter pilots and their families moved into their apartments during the summer of 1960 after residing at the Frunze Central Airfield in Moscow.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 May 2026

Definition of selected

Adjective

Verizon is offering up to $830 off the whole iPhone 17 series with the trade-in of an eligible old (or even damaged) phone and a qualified activation for select Verizon myPlan plans.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Mamdani’s signature 2-K program is scheduled to launch this fall with 2,000 students in select school districts, with the goal of expanding citywide over four years.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of select

Adjective

My favorite scare must have been accomplished with the person-doubling technology from The Prestige.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
It's positioned by the infinity pool and our favorite slice of sand, where beanbag loungers squat in front of a cocktail bar and a cinema-sized projector on movie nights.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of favorite

Verb

Open for breakfast and lunch, the eatery sticks largely to the classics—think omelets, pancakes, eggs Benedict, and plenty of biscuits, best enjoyed smothered in gravy, of course.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Growing up in Minnesota, my family and I enjoyed the usual holiday traditions at Christmas time.

— Nicole Russell, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of enjoyed

Browse Nearby Words

preferments

preferred

preferring

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Preferred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferred. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of preferred

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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