Synonym Chooser

How does the noun predilection contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of predilection are bias, prejudice, and prepossession. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

When could bias be used to replace predilection?

Although the words bias and predilection have much in common, bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

When is it sensible to use prejudice instead of predilection?

The words prejudice and predilection can be used in similar contexts, but prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

When can prepossession be used instead of predilection?

While the synonyms prepossession and predilection are close in meaning, prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of predilection Frozen and Tangled proved that princess stories could be handled via computer, yet the studio found one of its biggest hits by echoing Pixar’s predilection for mismatched buddies. Josh Spiegel, Vulture, 24 July 2024 This year, only 32.8 percent of Democrats said yes—a substantial decline that comports with their political interests and ideological predilections. Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2021 But this is often undermined by the series’ predilection for smut. Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Sep. 2024 With a predilection for anything mid-century, Recycling Retro in Woolwich is a must-stop for a quick browse. Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predilection 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predilection
Noun
  • The most popular and publicized offering from these ovens was surely the Radar Deep Dish Pie, a sweet treat that many Arkansans remember for its tendency to burn the roof of one's mouth.
    Mike Keckhaver), arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Hurts would seemingly run less while Love’s elbow injury, at least, shouldn’t affect his tendency to throw off his back foot — a major reason the Packers were swept in four games by the Lions and Vikings.
    Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While the natural inclination may be to retreat into silos, to focus on what is within our immediate control, or to compete for limited resources, the challenges of the Intelligent Age cannot be solved in isolation.
    Klaus Schwab, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
  • But Evans argues that, to the contrary, few Germans truly shared such inclinations.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Louis Jourdan, Count Dracula (1977) This BBC TV movie is a faithful adaptation of the book, and Jourdan plays a Dracula who teems with ghoulish sophistication as a refined intellectual with an aptitude for language and etymology.
    Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Similarly, Remy’s middle-class upbringing doesn’t account for his own aptitude, which isn’t dissimilar from Ayden’s, even if Ayden is further along with his welding skills.
    Rachel Kushner, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Health insurers, too, are increasingly paying to address social determinants of health beyond hospitalizations, physician services, prescription drugs and medical devices.
    Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • The combination of IoT and AI enables connected devices to collect, analyze and act on data in real-time.
    Rahul Saluja, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Tailor sales to past behavior or category affinity and offer exclusive deals, bundle offers, mystery discounts, early access to sales, referral incentives, additional savings on multiple items and renewal discounts.
    Pratik Bhadra, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Amid his mounting woes, the president has made his affinities to the far right even clearer.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The dessert for this feast of misbegotten nominations was served when Trump appointed Kimberly Guilfoyle, the longtime fiancée of his eldest son, Don, Jr., as the new Ambassador to Greece—a move that accommodates the son’s fresher affections for a Palm Beach socialite.
    David Remnick, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Over time, seeing these notes builds appreciation and rekindles affection.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near predilection

Cite this Entry

“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predilection. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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