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Choose the Right Synonym for predilection
predilection , prepossession , prejudice , bias 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 prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it. a prepossession against technology prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance. a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing. a strong bias toward the plaintiff
Predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root
Predilection comes from French prédilection and Latin praediligere, meaning "to love more" or "to prefer." In Latin, diligere means "to love."
Examples of predilection in a Sentence
The predilection of certain upper-class Englishmen toward eccentricity and playacting lent itself well to this endeavor. — Robert D. Kaplan, The Arabists, 1993 Even seated in the witness chair, he did not remove the light-colored, belted raincoat that, in common with knee-high boots, is a predilection of the Nazi-minded and that, in his case, was nearly identical to the raincoat Hitler habitually wore. — Kay Boyle, "Preface from the Smoking …," 1950, in Words that Must Somehow be Said: Selected Essays of Kay Boyle 1927–1984, 1985 The marine sergeants are generally tall fellows with unyielding spines and stiff upper lips, and very exclusive in their tastes and predilections. — Herman Melville, White Jacket, 1850 a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales
Recent Examples on the Web This predilection for buoyancy felt immediately recognizable to me. — The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2021 On the plus side, there's something reassuring about Neeson's ability to keep convincingly pulling off such characters, given Hollywood's predilection for ageism. — Brian Lowry, CNN, 25 June 2021 During questioning Monday, a number of candidates voiced strong opinions about the attack, including a Capitol Hill resident who discussed the proximity to the assault and his predilection to support the prosecution. — Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2022 At the same time as this revelation, my partner and I were battling — as is our perennial predilection — over whether to add sugar to cornbread. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2022 First christened in 2009, the Magellano collection is designed for yachtsmen with a predilection for lengthy global voyages. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2022 His selections hone on hard bop releases of the 1950s and ‘60s, with a special predilection for Art Blakey and his collaborative constellation. — Hannah Edgar, chicagotribune.com, 3 Dec. 2021 Still, Omicron’s predilection for the respiratory tract above the lungs could spell trouble for the youngest children, whose airways are narrower and less developed. — Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2022 That predilection certainly plays a role in how many pundits and analysts are thinking about the current standoff between NATO and Russia over eastern Ukraine. — Damon Linker, The Week, 19 Jan. 2022 See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predilection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback .
First Known Use of predilection
1742, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology for predilection
French prédilection, from Medieval Latin praediligere to love more, prefer, from Latin prae- + diligere to love — more at diligent
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