Synonyms for prefer
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
2. Promote — to advance, promote (someone or something)
promote, offer, raise, elevate, advance, bring forward, exalt, proffer, dignify, aggrandize, aggrandise UK, uplift, ennoble
3. Favor — to be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better
favor US, favour UK, fain dated rare, forechoose rare
Definitions
- v. 1
To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.
I'd prefer it if you didn't do it.
- v. 2
To advance, promote (someone or something).
- v. 3
To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").
Related words
- Word family
- preferability preferable preference preferential pre-ferment prelate
Forms
- Past participle
- preferred
e.g. preferred → choosed, liked, opted, pleased…
Choose the right word
Prefer indicates a state of desire and approval; choose, an act of will. Prudence or generosity may lead one to choose what he does not prefer.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- pick Could you send someone up to pick up some laundry?
- choose It won't make any difference whichever you choose.
- desire It is true that we desire to live in a small town.
- opt Avoid sugary drinks; opt for water instead.
- offer I am surprised that she refused such a good offer.
- uplift This music is going to uplift your mood.
By length
- 3 letters
- opt1
- 4 letters
- like1, pick1, fain1
- 5 letters
- offer2, raise1, favor2, fancy2, elect2, exalt2
- 6 letters
- please1, choose1, desire3, select2, favour2, uplift2
- 7 letters
- present2, address2, advance2, promote2, elevate3, proffer2, dignify3, ennoble3
- 10 letters
- aggrandize3, aggrandise, forechoose
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (offer2 = 2 syllables).