preferential
adjective
pref·er·en·tial ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 
1
: showing preference
preferential treatment
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
McClatchy independently confirmed the details of NOTUS’ reporting, speaking to a former staffer who said Adams’ preferential treatment toward Brown affected everything in the office from constituent services to employees’ mental health. —
Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026 The report also found certain undergraduate admissions practices appeared unfair to the public, specifically the preferential treatment of certain applicants, including legacies, varsity athletes, and children of faculty, staff, and donors. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026 There will now be questions of whether Vrabel and the Patriots are getting preferential treatment and whether the whole story is coming out, said Lynn Walsh, of the Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Committee. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026 City staff maintained there was no preferential treatment and the permitting decision came down to the neighboring business applying for its permits in a timely manner. —Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferential
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026 The report also found certain undergraduate admissions practices appeared unfair to the public, specifically the preferential treatment of certain applicants, including legacies, varsity athletes, and children of faculty, staff, and donors. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026 There will now be questions of whether Vrabel and the Patriots are getting preferential treatment and whether the whole story is coming out, said Lynn Walsh, of the Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Committee. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026 City staff maintained there was no preferential treatment and the permitting decision came down to the neighboring business applying for its permits in a timely manner. —Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferential
Cite this Entry
“Preferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/preferential. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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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