preferring

VERB

favor; single out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adopt choose go for pick promote put select suggest wish

STRONG

advance aggrandize cull desire elect elevate fancy finger incline mark place pose present proposition propound raise tag take tap upgrade

WEAK

be partial to be turned on to fix upon like better opt for optate propone put forward would rather would sooner

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dislike hate refuse reject

STRONG

decrease depress disgrace drop ignore lessen lose lower stop withhold

WEAK

spurn

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For years, the U.S. refrained from investigating sitting politicians in its fight against drug trafficking, preferring to target cartel leaders.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Doubts over the sector and low prospective returns meant that energy majors have so far largely stayed away, preferring to invest in biofuels, said Mutrelle.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

It discarded its best-known brands – the Mondeo and the Fiesta – as part of a move away from affordable, everyman cars, preferring to concentrate on more upmarket models.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Harfuch loved "the streets," preferring "to go on operations" over desk work, Cervantes said.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

The woman let out a bellow like a bull and John Dark hurried outside, preferring the rain to this.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman