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
Slimy slugs and snails are thriving in Los Angeles, California and appear to prefer urban life.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Democrats would still like the election to be a referendum on Trump, while Republicans would prefer voters render their verdict on Biden and Harris.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
At some point, Musselman would prefer to cut his rotation down to a much smaller number.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
More news: Kamala Harris Personally Called Dodgers Manager After World Series
But those with more direct baseball experience with the Florida climate would prefer the team stay indoors.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prefer 
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.
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Democrats would still like the election to be a referendum on Trump, while Republicans would prefer voters render their verdict on Biden and Harris.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
At some point, Musselman would prefer to cut his rotation down to a much smaller number.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
More news: Kamala Harris Personally Called Dodgers Manager After World Series
But those with more direct baseball experience with the Florida climate would prefer the team stay indoors.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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 22 Nov. 2024.
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
Share