prefer
verb (used with object)
to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than.
had preferred
-
past perfectof prefer.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
A self-described B-student, he spent his childhood adventuring in the wilderness near his hometown of Seattle, and as a kid had preferred skiing to YouTube.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026
About his long career in politics, Mr. Lopes would often tell interviewers that he had preferred writing.
From New York Times ● Dec. 1, 2023
A 15-year-old from Cullman County, known only as Allison in the lawsuit, had preferred girl toys and clothes since a young child, the lawsuit states, and recently began taking estrogen.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 20, 2022
Traditionally reluctant - for sound historical reasons - to throw its weight around, it had preferred the exercise of soft power to hard.
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2022
But Aunt Eva had preferred living with her brother, Will, and his wife and helping them raise Hannah’s father when Belle was away at work.
From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen
