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
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
The foundation also would like to investigate whether Harry received preferential treatment when his visa application was approved.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
These actors are not seeking any form of preferential treatment in casting calls.
—Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024
Instead of a policy created to even the playing field for a people who had been systematically held back and still faced pervasive discrimination, affirmative action was cast as a program that punished white Americans by giving unfair preferential treatment to Black Americans.
—Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
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
The foundation also would like to investigate whether Harry received preferential treatment when his visa application was approved.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
These actors are not seeking any form of preferential treatment in casting calls.
—Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024
Instead of a policy created to even the playing field for a people who had been systematically held back and still faced pervasive discrimination, affirmative action was cast as a program that punished white Americans by giving unfair preferential treatment to Black Americans.
—Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 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 25 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share