PREFERENCE Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'preference' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of preference are alternative , choice , election , option , and selection . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. // a preference for cool weather

Q: When is it sensible to use 'alternative' instead of 'preference'?

The words alternative and preference can be used in similar contexts, but alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. // equally attractive alternatives

Q: In what contexts can 'choice' take the place of 'preference'?

The meanings of choice and preference largely overlap; however, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

Q: When is 'election' a more appropriate choice than 'preference'?

While in some cases nearly identical to preference , election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Q: When can 'option' be used instead of 'preference'?

Although the words option and preference have much in common, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When would 'selection' be a good substitute for 'preference'?

The words selection and preference are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

preference

noun

ˈpre-fərn(t)s

Definition of preference

as in favorite

a person or thing that is preferred over others my preference is soul music

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in liking

positive regard for something a preference for cool weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose he was promised his preference when the time came to repaint his bedroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in promotion

a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position a long-sought preference to the position of naval commander

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun preference contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of preference are alternative, choice, election, option, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

When is it sensible to use alternative instead of preference?

The words alternative and preference can be used in similar contexts, but alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

In what contexts can choice take the place of preference?

The meanings of choice and preference largely overlap; however, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

When is election a more appropriate choice than preference?

While in some cases nearly identical to preference, election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When can option be used instead of preference?

Although the words option and preference have much in common, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When would selection be a good substitute for preference?

The words selection and preference are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

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 preference Batavia city documents suggest this is not the first time a gate at the city boundary has been contemplated, though the city has at various points expressed its preference for having no gates at all and allowing traffic to flow in both directions. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 FirstDate primarily derives those preferences from questionnaires. — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026 Each patient is unique,with different preferences, histories, and allergies that AI may not notice at first. — Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 In YbMnBi₂, the spins lose long-range order but retain directional preferences. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preference

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preference

Noun

More than 250 films from long-time festival favorites and new and emerging voices will screen at the 70th edition of the BFI London Film Festival (LFF), which kicks off on Wednesday.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Lunch and dinner entrees include a prime rib French dip with Gruyere, another old favorite from the Fort Worth location.

— Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of favorite

Noun

The 37-year-old, clad in a white tank top, loose gray sweatpants and white gym socks, looks back on the years that went into building the home to her liking.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Content creator Josh Lora, also known as @tellthebees, posted on TikTok that people are trying to rewrite the reality of professionalism to their liking—and that those who bring coffee into an interview won’t get the job.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of liking

Noun

Clayton also noted in the interview the task force would discuss potential legislative options that could be part of an AI framework moving forward.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Other options include pregnancy termination and neonatal treatment intended to prolong life.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of option

Noun

Gaston remembered being on Long Island for the chain’s first-ever special promotion, 1984’s Lobsterfest.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Troutman is charged with conspiracy to possess narcotics with intent to distribute, Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right and racketeering promotion.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of promotion

Noun

At one point Facebook created MSI, or Meaningful Social Interactions, which favor shares over likes, a process that intensifies engagement.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
The level of insight in the resulting dossiers makes social-media algorithms that study your likes and clicks look quaint.

— Harry Booth, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of like

Noun

The technology that investors and governments are counting on to lift the global economy is also adding pressure that threatens growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund said, urging policymakers to stop delaying painful choices on debt.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
An excellent choice for meandering to the city’s biggest tourist draws.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of choice

Noun

Mira believes advancement in their field will come through human-AI interaction.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
There is a more optimistic alternative — assuming a new incentive structure that disengages problem-solving and theorem-proving from jobs, advancement, and recognition.

— Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of advancement

Noun

Of note for more adventurous appetites are the oxtail and blue cheese pizza or Zambian whole bream fish.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The asset manager is among a growing number of global firms in Abu Dhabi’s financial center, ADGM, drawn by proximity to sovereign wealth funds like ADIA and Mubadala, family offices, and the region’s expanding appetite for private credit.

— Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of appetite

Browse Nearby Words

preferably

preference

preferences

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Preference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preference. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of preference

noun

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