preferred; preferring
1
: to promote or advance to a rank or position
2
: to like better or best
prefers sports to reading
prefers to watch TV
3
: to give (a creditor) priority
4
archaic
: to put or set forward or before someone : recommend
5
: to bring or lay against someone
won't prefer charges
6
: to bring forward or lay before one for consideration
preferrer
noun
Examples of prefer in a Sentence
Some people like vanilla ice cream, but I prefer chocolate.
She tends to prefer small college campuses.
I prefer this dictionary because of its helpful examples.
Which one is the preferred alternative?
What is the preferred pronunciation of her name?
Recent Examples on the Web
Another victim, an 85-year-old woman, refused to leave her home as the fast-moving Palisades Fire approached, preferring instead to stay behind with her beloved pets.
—
Ray Sanchez, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
Arc’teryx Sabre Gore-Tex Shell Jacket & Bibs Many skiers prefer layering with an uninsulated shell jacket and warmer layers underneath.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
And in yet another survey, researchers found that participants in couples counseling actually preferred online therapy via videoconferencing to in-person sessions.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Folks who prefer savory to sweet can order a breakfast sandwich on a homemade biscuit or Italian bread, but everyone has to add at least one Apple Ugly to their order.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prefer 
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Ray Sanchez, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
Arc’teryx Sabre Gore-Tex Shell Jacket & Bibs Many skiers prefer layering with an uninsulated shell jacket and warmer layers underneath.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
And in yet another survey, researchers found that participants in couples counseling actually preferred online therapy via videoconferencing to in-person sessions.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Folks who prefer savory to sweet can order a breakfast sandwich on a homemade biscuit or Italian bread, but everyone has to add at least one Apple Ugly to their order.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prefer
Dictionary Entries Near prefer
Cite this Entry
“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefer. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prefer
verb
pre·fer
pri-ˈfər 
preferred; preferring
1
: to choose or like better than another
prefer dark clothes
2
: to present for action or consideration
prefer charges against a thief
Legal Definition
prefer
transitive verb
pre·fer
pri-ˈfər
preferred; preferring
1
: to give (a creditor or debt) priority or preference
any preferred charges such as child support or alimony—In re Smiley, 427 P.2d 179 (1967)
In re Smiley, 427 P.2d 179 (1967)2
: to bring forward for determination
especially
: to bring (a charge) against someone
the various means by which a grand jury might prefer charges —State v. Byrd, 399 S.E.2d 267 (1990)
State v. Byrd, 399 S.E.2d 267 (1990) Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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