preferential
adjective
pref·er·en·tial
ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 
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
Examples of preferential in a Sentence
powerful people who demand preferential treatment from politicians
Recent Examples on the Web
First, there is clear preferential treatment in the awarding of Sweeps Coins.
—
Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Eswatini and South Sudan have reached similar deals with the Trump administration, while several other nations have offered commodities access in exchange for preferential treatment from Washington.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Japan: rice and autos Japan was the second major Asian economy to come to an agreement with the U.S. after China, seeing its tariff rate cut to 15% from 25% on July 23, and being the first economy to see a lower preferential tariff rate for its key automobile sector.
—Lim Hui Jie,sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 31 July 2025
These preferential creditors include £41,242 in employee arrears and holiday, as well as HM Revenue & Customs.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferential
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Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Eswatini and South Sudan have reached similar deals with the Trump administration, while several other nations have offered commodities access in exchange for preferential treatment from Washington.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Japan: rice and autos Japan was the second major Asian economy to come to an agreement with the U.S. after China, seeing its tariff rate cut to 15% from 25% on July 23, and being the first economy to see a lower preferential tariff rate for its key automobile sector.
—Lim Hui Jie,sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 31 July 2025
These preferential creditors include £41,242 in employee arrears and holiday, as well as HM Revenue & Customs.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferential
Cite this Entry
“Preferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferential. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preferential
adjective
pref·er·en·tial
ˌpref-ə-ˈren-chəl
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
Legal Definition
preferential
adjective
pref·e·ren·tial
ˌpre-fə-ˈren-chəl
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
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