Preferable
What it means
More desirable or suitable than another available choice.
Reach for it when comparing options when one deserves selection for practical or ethical reasons
A short delay was preferable to opening the bridge before inspection.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when a simple general comparison is enough
Careful Better can concern quality alone and may leave the basis of preference unclear.
-
warm
wiser
Fits when where judgment about consequences supports the selection
Careful Wiser praises the decision and may sound moralizing about reasonable alternatives.
-
professional
more suitable
Fits if fit for a particular purpose decides the choice
Careful More suitable does not necessarily mean more desirable overall.
-
professional
Suits the best result under stated criteria
Careful Optimal asserts the best outcome under defined criteria; preferable makes a gentler comparison.
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formal
Fits when an outcome is worth wanting in its own right
Careful Desirable lacks an explicit comparison with the rejected option.
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literary
the lesser evil
Fits when every available option carries a serious drawback
Careful This phrase is unduly negative when both choices are acceptable.
Opposites 3
- inferior
- undesirable
- unsuitable
Common phrases 3
-
far preferable
Repairing the existing path was far preferable to removing mature trees.
-
preferable option
The quieter generator proved the preferable option for overnight use.
-
considered preferable
Direct consultation was considered preferable to a generic survey.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Steve Shives, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated