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
But both companies note that these agreements do not result in the news sites getting preferential treatment in chatbots’ search results.
—
Billy Perrigo, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Some countries offer preferential tax rates for digital nomads, as a means of attracting global talent into the country.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The test takers were given preferential treatment by Cederquist, who falsely reported that each trooper took and passed a Class A skills test.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
As of mid-August, 28,000 people were enrolled in Russian universities in 2025 under the preferential quota for special military operation participants and members of their families—a nearly 75 percent increase over the previous year.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferential
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Billy Perrigo, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Some countries offer preferential tax rates for digital nomads, as a means of attracting global talent into the country.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The test takers were given preferential treatment by Cederquist, who falsely reported that each trooper took and passed a Class A skills test.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
As of mid-August, 28,000 people were enrolled in Russian universities in 2025 under the preferential quota for special military operation participants and members of their families—a nearly 75 percent increase over the previous year.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 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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