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
Saks Global also indicated this week that post-petition invoices for merchandise receipts will be paid pursuant to current terms, which are set at 90 days from receipt of goods, though some vendors have been getting preferential treatment.
—
David Moin, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026
The initiative is open to residents of all nationalities, offering them priority access to new projects from a slate of developers, along with preferential pricing and lower mortgage rates.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Not only can those payments be reversed by the trustee, but the legal process of recovering preferential transfers can add months to your bankruptcy case and increase your legal costs.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Under the Academy’s preferential nomination system, voters rank their choices.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Jan. 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.
David Moin, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026
The initiative is open to residents of all nationalities, offering them priority access to new projects from a slate of developers, along with preferential pricing and lower mortgage rates.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Not only can those payments be reversed by the trustee, but the legal process of recovering preferential transfers can add months to your bankruptcy case and increase your legal costs.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Under the Academy’s preferential nomination system, voters rank their choices.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferential
Cite this Entry
“Preferential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferential. Accessed 28 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
