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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

He has resisted the iTunes style of selling songs individually, preferring to preserve sales of complete albums.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

So far, U.S. stock markets have largely looked past the inflation threat, preferring to focus on the artificial-intelligence trade and the promises of space and quantum technologies.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

She resists, preferring to forget the intense physical and emotional pain of her life, but is lured by her longing to paint again.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

“All I ask is that you walk with me four more blocks north — ” “I thought you said Bodega was meeting me,” I protested, preferring to be in Bodega’s company than Nazario’s.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez