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
The Heritage Foundation questions whether the duke was given preferential treatment for a visa or lied on his application about his past drug use.
—
Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Their identities are kept secret so that chefs and restaurant staff are not tempted to offer preferential treatment.
—The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
Your miles with Alaska will never expire — something only six of the top ten airlines can claim — while Alaska Mileage Plan members will also have preferential treatment when deciding who to bump for overbooked flights.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
This led to preferential treatment of the employee including promotion and compensation increases, according to RBC.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
When preferential treatment is given to a staff member, this creates feelings of unfairness and resentment, leading to a loss of trust in the leader’s impartiality.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The only thing that gives me pause is some of these scandals that have been swirling around her: The fact that her daughter got preferential treatment getting licensed as a real-estate appraiser.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2024
The program has faced a backlash over concerns about potential fraud or abuse, and about whether migrants were being given preferential treatment over other people in need.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
If anyone's ever idly wondered, Knight uses her mom’s maiden name professionally to avoid preferential treatment at NCIS.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2024
Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Their identities are kept secret so that chefs and restaurant staff are not tempted to offer preferential treatment.
—The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
Your miles with Alaska will never expire — something only six of the top ten airlines can claim — while Alaska Mileage Plan members will also have preferential treatment when deciding who to bump for overbooked flights.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
This led to preferential treatment of the employee including promotion and compensation increases, according to RBC.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
When preferential treatment is given to a staff member, this creates feelings of unfairness and resentment, leading to a loss of trust in the leader’s impartiality.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The only thing that gives me pause is some of these scandals that have been swirling around her: The fact that her daughter got preferential treatment getting licensed as a real-estate appraiser.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2024
The program has faced a backlash over concerns about potential fraud or abuse, and about whether migrants were being given preferential treatment over other people in need.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
If anyone's ever idly wondered, Knight uses her mom’s maiden name professionally to avoid preferential treatment at NCIS.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 25 Mar. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near preferential
Cite this Entry
“Preferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferential. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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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