prefer
- to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than: to prefer beef to chicken.
- Law. to give priority, as to one creditor over another.
- to put forward or present (a statement, suit, charge, etc.) for consideration or sanction.
- to put forward or advance, as in rank or office; promote: to be preferred for advancement.
Origin of prefer
Synonym study
Synonyms for prefer
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for prefer
Related Words for prefer
adopt, suggest, pick, wish, put, promote, select, choose, desire, advance, aggrandize, upgrade, tap, raise, pose, cull, fancy, mark, elevate, inclineExamples from the Web for prefer
Contemporary Examples of prefer
This final episode of Extras is the perfect Christmastime escape for those who prefer the bittersweet to the saccharine.
We prefer to wave away the warning signs; like The Interview, Mulholland Drive was comfortably downplayed as over-the-top satire.
Both are offering original programing designed to be viewed however you prefer—one episode at a time or all at once.
Note: If you prefer cookies thin and crisp, bake them straight from the mixing bowl.
Such messages are unlikely to be beloved of secularists who prefer to scoff at the religious rather than engage with them.
Historical Examples of prefer
It may be that he can prefer thee to some post about the minster.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
It is on Mr. Haley's account that I prefer to keep it secret.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
Other things being equal, people of six prefer that man who is tallest.
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
You wadna have me to believe, Captain Smith, that the lady does not prefer you to him?
I prefer to sit with my hands folded and watch the rest of you work.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton CampusJessie Graham Flower
prefer
- (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to like better or value more highlyI prefer to stand
- law to give preference, esp to one creditor over others
- (esp of the police) to put (charges) before a court, judge, magistrate, etc, for consideration and judgment
- (tr; often passive) to advance in rank over another or others; promote
Word Origin for prefer
usage
Word Origin and History for prefer
late 14c., "to put forward or advance in rank or fortune, to promote," from Old French preferer (14c.) and directly from Latin praeferre "place or set before, carry in front," from prae "before" (see pre-) + ferre "to carry, to place" (see infer). Meaning "to esteem (something) more than others" also is recorded from late 14c. Original sense in English is preserved in preferment.