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

Deposit at least $10 into your account using your preferred payment method. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The sanitizer in the third section of the three-compartment sink measured only 50 parts per million, well below the preferred 400 parts per million. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

Trustees approved the elementary school map preferred by parents, staff and community members. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 The right choice depends on the treatment area, the amount of existing hair, donor quality and the strategy preferred by the medical team. — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferred

Adjective

The Pope Leo Village Homes initiative is underway in Bronzeville with five of the seven area homes under construction and two with selected homeowners.

— Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 21 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of selected

Verb

Guadagnino liked the idea of shooting a tech movie about the future in a place once home to similar aspirations.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Being from Texas, Sewell no doubt liked things big, so he was attracted to the concept of a pizza that was thicker than flat-crust pies that copied the Italian model.

— Edward Robert McClelland, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of liked

Verb

Asked about immigration solutions for Congress to tackle, Latino voters polled picked investigating ICE as a top priority, alongside immigration changes like a pathway to citizenship and ending the immigration detention of children and families.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Having picked it up for its 2025-26 season, CBS then pushed it to the following 2026-27 season.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of picked

Adjective

Release details have not yet been confirmed, but readers can likely expect a launch through Nike’s Snkrs app and select retailers.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
Those willing to deal with volatility can consider select tactical opportunities in medium- to long-duration bonds, said.

— Michelle Fox, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of select

Verb

Kalshi markets now show Bolsonaro favored to win 60% to Lula’s 39%.

— Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
In contrast, in Arab Barometer’s October 2023 survey, just ten percent of Gazans favored normalization and five percent of Palestinians living in the West Bank did.

— Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of favored

Adjective

The Caroline Astor corner suite is a favorite for its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.

— Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 7 Oct. 2026
But my favorite meals of each day were the long languorous breakfasts in the Salone Reale, among the grandest rooms in the hotel.

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

Definition of favorite

Verb

The Ratepayer Protection Act, meant to prevent data centers from raising electricity prices, enjoyed sweeping support in the House from all but three Democrats while all but four of their colleagues in the Senate opposed it.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
The sanctions legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan support, with US lawmakers and Ukrainian officials viewing it as a crucial mechanism to put more pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine before the winter.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyed

Browse Nearby Words

preferments

preferred

preferring

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Style

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

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Synonyms of preferred

adjective

verb

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