in preference to

preposition
UK: /ɪn ˈprefərəns tuː/
US: /ɪn ˈprefərəns tuː/

  1. More than; liking or wanting one thing more than another.

    1. I chose tea in preference to coffee because it was cold outside.
    2. She selected the blue dress in preference to the green, finding it more suitable for the party.

  2. Instead of; choosing one thing over another because you like it better or think it is more suitable.

    1. He opted to walk in preference to taking the bus because it was a nice day.
    2. The company uses renewable energy in preference to fossil fuels, showing its commitment to sustainability.

Synonyms

rather than instead of over before

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "in preference to" in English means: More than; liking or wanting one thing more than another., Instead of; choosing one thing over another because you like it better or think it is more suitable..

The phonetic transcription of "in preference to" is /ɪn ˈprefərəns tuː/ in British English and /ɪn ˈprefərəns tuː/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "in preference to": rather than, instead of, over, before.

Example usage of "in preference to": "I chose tea in preference to coffee because it was cold outside.". More examples on the page.