as in rather
by choice or preference
I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field
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Recent Examples of preferably
To turn it into a Buffalo chicken Cranch, add a couple of tablespoons of whole milk and half a cup of Buffalo sauce (preferably Frank’s Red Hot), then microwave the mixture for a couple of minutes.
—
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025
Build it in one of your Cities — preferably in one with high Production — and then complete the Operation Ivy Project to cement your supremacy with the threat of nuclear destruction.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Stovetop method: Fill a large (at least 6-qt.) stockpot with 12 cups of water (preferably filtered).
—Alexis Deboschnek, Bon Appétit, 5 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump recently announced that the United States would work to land astronauts on Mars, preferably within the next four years — the extent of his presidential term.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025
Build it in one of your Cities — preferably in one with high Production — and then complete the Operation Ivy Project to cement your supremacy with the threat of nuclear destruction.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Stovetop method: Fill a large (at least 6-qt.) stockpot with 12 cups of water (preferably filtered).
—Alexis Deboschnek, Bon Appétit, 5 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump recently announced that the United States would work to land astronauts on Mars, preferably within the next four years — the extent of his presidential term.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preferably. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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