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
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.
—
Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
The biggest key to success is to chum, preferably with live bait like pilchards, although chunks of dead bait work just fine.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Homeowners should start with bait and traps before moving on to pesticides — preferably ready-to-use ones that don’t require mixing chemicals, the agency said.
—Hali Smith
april 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
Chill disks at least 2 hours (but preferably go at least 12 hours).
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
The biggest key to success is to chum, preferably with live bait like pilchards, although chunks of dead bait work just fine.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Homeowners should start with bait and traps before moving on to pesticides — preferably ready-to-use ones that don’t require mixing chemicals, the agency said.
—Hali Smith
april 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
Chill disks at least 2 hours (but preferably go at least 12 hours).
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preferably
Adverb
-
During debate over the bill, supporters argued the intent wasn’t to restrict the rights of transgender people, but rather to protect women and girls.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Nussmeier weighed in at a rather light 203 pounds at the NFL Combine and was measured with hands under nine inches.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Before his trial, Hitchcock pulled back his confession and said his brother, Richard Hitchcock — Cindy’s stepfather — killed the girl in a fit of rage after discovering James Hitchcock and the girl willingly in bed together.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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In the dying days of the Russian Empire, highborn ladies would willingly cut the dirty fingernails of the peasant Grigori Rasputin and then sew the clippings onto their dresses like sacred talismans.—
Gerard DeGroot,
Air Mail,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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