prefer
verb (used with object)
to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than.
preferred
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past participleof prefer.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof prefer.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
preferverb (used with object)to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than.
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.
Except the U.S. guarantees the right to a secret ballot, which means it’s pretty much impossible to tell what someone was thinking when they bubbled in their preferred candidates.
From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026
Clearlake, which had just raised a $15 billion fund, gave the company $175 million in exchange for preferred shares.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
King and Carpenter wanted to manufacture two varieties: milk chocolate, generally preferred by the directing icon, and dark chocolate, King’s favorite.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
Most poignantly, he was one of football's great entertainers, described by Ballon d'Or founder Gabriel Hanot - who was thought to have preferred Di Stefano - as the sport's Charlie Chaplin.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
Bobby preferred listening to the radio rather than watching television.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
