preferential

adjective pref·er·en·tial \ ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Examples: preferential in a Sentence

Definition of preferential

1 : showing preference

2 : employing or creating a preference in trade relations

3 : designed to permit expression of preference among candidates

a preferential primary

4 : giving preference especially in hiring to union members

a preferential shop

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preferentially

play \ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

See preferential defined for English-language learners

See preferential defined for kids

Examples of preferential in a Sentence

powerful people who demand preferential treatment from politicians

Recent Examples of preferential from the Web

Trump has accused Amazon of benefiting from preferential USPS rates, and last month created a task force to review USPS business practices.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "With Trump Feud Still Simmering, Postal Service Announces Huge Growth in Package Delivery – and Widening Losses," 12 May 2018
The drivers contend that airport officials are giving ride-sharing companies such at Uber and Lyft preferential treatment at the airport.

— lori aratani, Washington Post, "Taxicab drivers disrupt D.C. airport board meeting to protest treatment," 21 June 2018
But that effort unraveled after a 1989 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that prevented cities from giving preferential treatment to a minority group.

— katrease stafford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit's demolition program under fire for lack of diversity," 16 June 2018
First of all, I was given no preferential treatment at all except they didn't detain me with the general population.

— sasha savitsky, Fox News, "John Schneider speaks out after leaving jail, says 'there's a bias against conservatives' in Hollywood," 13 June 2018
The rules, enacted by the administration of President Barack Obama in 2015, prohibited internet providers from charging more for certain content or from giving preferential treatment to certain websites.

— keith collins, BostonGlobe.com, "The repeal of net neutrality is official. Here’s how that could affect you," 11 June 2018
The rules, enacted by the administration of President Barack Obama in 2015, prohibited internet providers from charging more for certain content or from giving preferential treatment to certain websites.

— keith collins, New York Times, "The Net Neutrality Repeal Is Official. Here’s How That Could Affect You.," 11 June 2018
This led to better job and educational opportunities and even preferential treatment in society.

— michael harriot, The Root, "The Root’s Clapback Mailbag: The Story of Clapback-idon," 8 June 2018
Still, the Weinstein case fed an impression that Mr. Vance’s office gave the wealthy preferential treatment.

— New York Times, "Harvey Weinstein’s Arrest May Define Manhattan D.A.’s Legacy," 27 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preferential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of preferential

1849

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PREFERENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners

preferential

adjective

Definition of preferential for English Language Learners

: giving an advantage to a particular person or group

Law Dictionary

preferential

adjective pref·e·ren·tial \ ˌpre-fə-ˈren-chəl \

legal Definition of preferential

1 : of or constituting a preference

a preferential transfer

2 : giving preference to union members especially in hiring

a preferential shop

3 : showing preference

these creditors may obtain preferential treatment

Learn More about preferential

See words that rhyme with preferential Spanish Central: Translation of preferential Nglish: Translation of preferential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of preferential for Arabic speakers

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preferential

Definition of preferential

preferentially

Examples of preferential in a Sentence

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preferential

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preferential

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preferentially

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preferential

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preferential

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