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
Lawmakers cited the House’s impeachment inquiry as the basis for their lawsuit, noting investigators were trying to determine whether Hunter Biden received preferential treatment from the department during its yearslong investigation of him.
—
Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Jan. 2025
Jayden Federline told the outlets that the public hadn't been fair to his grandfather and that his mother gave preferential treatment to him over his brother.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
What many of us nonreligious Americans do take issue with are religious displays that are sanctioned or funded by the government, or when one group is given preferential treatment over the rest of us.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Reduced competition, preferential treatment for pricing and formulary decisions with affiliated organizations, and market barriers to smaller independent pharmacies have frequently resulted in more limited access to medications for patients.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preferential 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Jan. 2025
Jayden Federline told the outlets that the public hadn't been fair to his grandfather and that his mother gave preferential treatment to him over his brother.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
What many of us nonreligious Americans do take issue with are religious displays that are sanctioned or funded by the government, or when one group is given preferential treatment over the rest of us.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Reduced competition, preferential treatment for pricing and formulary decisions with affiliated organizations, and market barriers to smaller independent pharmacies have frequently resulted in more limited access to medications for patients.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preferential
Dictionary Entries Near preferential
Cite this Entry
“Preferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferential. Accessed 17 Jan. 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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