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

Example 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 For its part, Beijing shares some similar predilections: President Xi Jinping, after all, often stresses the national security implications of transactions with and dependence on foreign technologies, systems, and companies. Evan A. Feigenbaum, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025 But no matter your predilection, there are a few essential ingredients that are beneficial for most winter skin problems. Claire Sullivan, WWD, 15 Jan. 2025 The angle here will be for those who wish to adroitly adopt a frugal perspective and carry that predilection into their daily endeavors in a sensible fashion. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 The six episodes present a brutal, fascinating depiction of a culture and a country that has yet to overcome its most violent predilections. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predilection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predilection
Noun
  • According to Limon-Rocha, various life stressors—such as starting a new school, being bullied, losing a beloved pet, or having a family member with health issues—can all trigger perfectionist tendencies.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The tendency in the forecast has been for the front to set up across southeast portions of the Kansas City forecast area.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The unusual trajectory aligned the Falcon 9 with a perfectly polar orbit at an inclination of 90 degrees to the equator, bringing the four-person crew directly over the North or South Pole every 45 minutes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
  • And grant funding has become less reliable as state governments face their own financial challenges while the Trump administration has shown little inclination to aid transit systems.
    Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Because some teams, roles and individuals may have natural aptitudes for different setups.
    Eric Hutto, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • And that team happens to desperately need a player like Luka, with not just great basketball aptitude but with presence and personality – star power!
    Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Efficient energy storage is crucial for the transition to a low-carbon economy, which can impact everything from grid-scale energy storage to electric vehicles and portable devices.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, instead of removing the minerals from the water, these devices make the minerals soluble in the water.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Preacher Boy shows off his heavenly voice and affinity for jazz music, but his father, an actual preacher, rebukes the genre as the devil’s music, like most good Christians did back then.
    Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Search results that factor in individual shopper preferences – such as brand affinity, size, fit, price range, and past purchase history – yield double the clickthrough rate of less personalized results.
    Andrea Wasserman, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For instance, not only do koala parents prioritize frequent physical affection like cuddling and hugs, there also is an abundance of emotional warmth.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Most people probably have a general sense that physical affection matters in a relationship.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predilection. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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