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Glite Dictionary
unpreferred

unpreferred

5.4
Not chosen or liked as much as other options
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnprɪˈfɜrd/
translation icon : no preferido
  • He made a choice between two options, but the unpreferred one was still an option to consider.

Examples

  • The unpreferred choice often leads to dissatisfaction.

  • The committee chose the unpreferred candidate only after the top choice declined the offer.

  • This route is unpreferred because it takes longer and is less scenic.

  • He used an unpreferred method when the usual approach was unavailable.

  • This option is unpreferred for most users.

  • In the meeting, she expressed her unpreferred view on the new project direction, which was not well-received.

  • Many students felt that attending the lecture was an unpreferred activity compared to studying on their own.

Synonyms

unfavored
vsunpreferred
  • US
4.6

Not given help or special treatment compared to others

is about general lack of being chosen rather than absence of support
unselected
vsunpreferred
3.2

Not chosen from a group or list

highlights not being chosen rather than lacking support or use
unadopted
vsunpreferred
6.4

Not chosen for use by a group or organization

focuses on not being chosen rather than not being implemented

Antonyms

preferred
8 2.8

Liked or chosen more than others

favored
  • US
3.7

A person who gets better treatment and more benefits than others

How Preferred

favored
  • US
3.7
preferred
8 2.8
acceptable
477 2.5
unpreferred
5.4
disliked
1.0

Surface Forms

unpreferred positive

Morphology

unpreferred = preferred (transparent) = un + prefer + ed

The meaning is a straightforward negation: productive prefix 'un-' applied to the adjective 'preferred' yields 'not preferred'.

Etymology

Unpreferred is made from un- meaning 'not' and prefer, which comes from old parts meaning 'before' and 'bring' and gives the idea of choosing one thing over another, as in preference. So unpreferred means 'not chosen' or 'not favored'.