as in rather
by choice or preference
I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preferably
The building must have a floor plan adaptable to residential units, easy access points, a good location and preferably, options for parking, developers and commercial real estate experts say.
—
Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
At what point does Bravo just hire a professional couples therapist (preferably Dr. Orna Guralnik from Couples Therapy) to host the reunion?
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2025
Other judges surmise that NCAA eligibility rules are better understood as reasonable restrictions on playing sports by college students, who are expected to eventually leave college, preferably with a degree, and allow incoming freshmen to take their roster spots.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2025
Prepare a planting bed at least 5 to 6 feet (preferably 10 feet) in diameter and cultivate it to a depth of 10 to 12 inches.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
At what point does Bravo just hire a professional couples therapist (preferably Dr. Orna Guralnik from Couples Therapy) to host the reunion?
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2025
Other judges surmise that NCAA eligibility rules are better understood as reasonable restrictions on playing sports by college students, who are expected to eventually leave college, preferably with a degree, and allow incoming freshmen to take their roster spots.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2025
Prepare a planting bed at least 5 to 6 feet (preferably 10 feet) in diameter and cultivate it to a depth of 10 to 12 inches.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
rather
Adverb
-
With a net elevation decrease of just over 1,310 m (about 4,300 ft) throughout the drive, the EV most certainly benefited from regenerative braking, a rather useful feature that turns downhill momentum back into battery power.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 July 2025
-
The majestic Brazilian played for them between 1975 and 1977, back when soccer in the United States was rather experimental.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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