preference
What you'd choose
Preference is a greater liking for one thing over another—what you would choose given options: My preference is to stay home.
Preferences range from trivial (vanilla over chocolate) to consequential (job preferences, sexual preference).
To give preference to something is to prioritize it: The company gives preference to internal candidates.
Preferential treatment favors certain people or things.
Inclination toward a behavior
- leaningTendency toward something
- proclivityInherent tendency toward something
- propensityInnate behavioral inclination
- penchantIngrained liking or tendency
disposition · bent · predisposition · affinity · predilection · liking · fondness · appetite
Available course of action
- selectionChosen item or items
- alternativeAnother available choice
- decisionSettled course of action
- pickPointed breaking tool
election · determination · judgment · discretion · volition · deliberation · verdict · resolve
Positive inclination toward
- fondnessWarm liking or affection
- palateOral cavity ceiling
- sensibilityRefined emotional responsiveness
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
refinement · aesthetic · style · flavor · appetite · connoisseurship · sophistication · appreciation
Preferential treatment of some
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
inequity · nepotism · cronyism · partisanship · one-sidedness · bigotry · chauvinism · double-standard
Arrangement of parts
- defaultPreset standard option
- customizationModification to individual preference
- optionAvailable course of action
- parameterBoundary-setting factor
Superior rank or importance
- primacyCondition of being foremost
- importanceState of mattering
- urgencyPressing need for action
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
ranking · preeminence · seniority · paramountcy · front-runner · advantage · head-start · fast-track
tendency
Inclination toward a behavior
- leaningTendency toward something
- proclivityInherent tendency toward something
- propensityInnate behavioral inclination
penchant · disposition · bent · predisposition · affinity · predilection · liking · fondness · appetite · druthers
option
Available course of action
- selectionChosen item or items
- alternativeAnother available choice
- decisionSettled course of action
pick · election · determination · judgment · discretion · volition · deliberation · verdict · resolve · will
liking
Positive inclination toward
- fondnessWarm liking or affection
- palateOral cavity ceiling
- sensibilityRefined emotional responsiveness
discernment · refinement · aesthetic · style · flavor · appetite · connoisseurship · sophistication · appreciation
favoritism
Preferential treatment of some
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
unfairness · inequity · nepotism · cronyism · partisanship · one-sidedness · bigotry · chauvinism · double-standard · patronage
configuration
Arrangement of parts
- defaultPreset standard option
- customizationModification to individual preference
- optionAvailable course of action
precedence
Superior rank or importance
- primacyCondition of being foremost
- importanceState of mattering
- urgencyPressing need for action
hierarchy · ranking · preeminence · seniority · paramountcy · front-runner · advantage · head-start · fast-track
- Consumer Choiceshopping, brands, options, comparison, alternatives
- dispositionsdisposition, predisposition, inclination, tendency, propensity
- fondnessaffection, liking, fondness, tenderness, caring
- selectionchoosing, picking, selection committee, shortlist, shortlisting
- Favorapproval, liking, support, acceptance, endorsement
- Art Psychologyart therapy, creative process, artistic expression, emotional expression, self-expression
preferencecompulsion
Irresistible urge to act
coercion · obligation · requirement · force · duress
preferencedisfavor
Lack of approval
deprioritization · disadvantage · demotion · degradation · downgrade
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
- regional preferencesTastes varying by location
- food preferencesLiked and disliked cuisines
- sexual preferenceWho one desires romantically
- preference list
- son preferenceFavoring boys over daughters