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
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has decided to shelve, for now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for a pardon in his graft trial, preferring to press the parties to reach an agreement that would terminate the case consensually, his office announced. —
Galit Altstein, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026 For those who prefer a longer adventure, nearby trailheads connect to sections of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, allowing visitors to explore the park’s ecosystems in greater depth. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026 But customers will only prefer the human if the person is actually good at both the human touch and the problem-solving. —Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 Calendula prefers mild temperatures and full sun, but often works well along pathways as a vibrant alternative to daisies. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026 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.
Galit Altstein, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026 For those who prefer a longer adventure, nearby trailheads connect to sections of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, allowing visitors to explore the park’s ecosystems in greater depth. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026 But customers will only prefer the human if the person is actually good at both the human touch and the problem-solving. —Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 Calendula prefers mild temperatures and full sun, but often works well along pathways as a vibrant alternative to daisies. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prefer
Cite this Entry
“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/prefer. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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)
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