preferential

adjective

pref·​er·​en·​tial ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl How to pronounce preferential (audio)
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
preferentially adverb

Examples of preferential in a Sentence

powerful people who demand preferential treatment from politicians
Recent Examples on the Web Feds reject a private company's plan to build hydropower projects on the Navajo Nation Arizona Senate passes bill to allow Ten Commandments in public school classrooms Tempe detectives say Charles Ryan received preferential treatment after standoff What does Arizona law say about IVF embryos? Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 But there’s been a growing movement targeting those initiatives, with critics claiming those efforts are racist and create preferential treatment for those groups. James Farrell, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The University of California and California State University systems do not give preferential treatment to children of alumni and donors, and some private institutions, such as Occidental and Pomona Colleges, have dropped the practice in recent years. Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Now, a new bill introduced in the California legislature seeks to end the practice of giving preferential college admission to people whose family members were alumni or big donors. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024 Latin America also has a strong leg up through formal preferential trading ties, as a majority of all U.S. free trade agreements are with countries in the region. Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Colorblindness proponents insist that race-conscious programs are unfairly preferential and divisive. Stephan Haimowitz, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2024 This year, with Taylor Swift in tow during an election cycle, the speculation proliferated, but the referees' preferential treatment of Super Bowl MVP QB Patrick Mahomes has always been at the top of the list among conspiracy theorists. USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2024 In keeping with New York’s preferential approach, Gov. Kathy Hochul had announced in March 2022 a pivot on store licensing: Applicants with past cannabis convictions would go to the front of the line. Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preferential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preferential was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near preferential

Cite this Entry

“Preferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferential. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preferential

adjective
pref·​er·​en·​tial ˌpref-ə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce preferential (audio)
1
: of or relating to preference
2
: showing preference
preferential treatment
3
: creating or using preference in trading
4
: permitting the showing of order of preference (as of candidates in an election)
a preferential ballot
preferentially adverb

Legal Definition

preferential

adjective
pref·​e·​ren·​tial ˌpre-fə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce preferential (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on preferential

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