Preferential
adjective
Favoring one person or thing over others.
Some members of the team received preferential treatment.
Often appears as...
- preferential treatment
- preferential rates
adjective
Relating to the practice of giving better treatment to some people.
The government has set preferential policies for the poor.
Often appears as...
- preferential hiring
- preferential policies
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Relating to a trade agreement where one country makes better trade deals to another.
They have a preferential trade agreement with neighboring countries.
Often appears as...
- preferential trade agreement
- preferential trade status
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
adjective
Favoring one person or thing over others.
Some members of the team received preferential treatment.
Often appears as...
- preferential treatment
- preferential rates
adjective
Relating to the practice of giving better treatment to some people.
The government has set preferential policies for the poor.
Often appears as...
- preferential hiring
- preferential policies
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Relating to a trade agreement where one country makes better trade deals to another.
They have a preferential trade agreement with neighboring countries.
Often appears as...
- preferential trade agreement
- preferential trade status
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Connotations of Unfairness
Be aware that 'preferential' can imply unfair advantages or bias.
The boss's son seems to get preferential opportunities at work.
Pro Tip 2/3Neutral Vs. Negative
'Preferential' can be neutral, but often has a negative slant in informal contexts.
Despite her qualifications, Jane felt she lost out due to preferential hiring.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Overt
Preferential treatment can be subtle and not easily noticed.
He quietly received preferential seating at the event.
Pro Tip 1/3Connotations of Unfairness
Be aware that 'preferential' can imply unfair advantages or bias.
The boss's son seems to get preferential opportunities at work.
Pro Tip 2/3Neutral Vs. Negative
'Preferential' can be neutral, but often has a negative slant in informal contexts.
Despite her qualifications, Jane felt she lost out due to preferential hiring.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Overt
Preferential treatment can be subtle and not easily noticed.
He quietly received preferential seating at the event.
Pro Tip 1/3Connotations of Unfairness
Be aware that 'preferential' can imply unfair advantages or bias.
The boss's son seems to get preferential opportunities at work.
Pro Tip 2/3Neutral Vs. Negative
'Preferential' can be neutral, but often has a negative slant in informal contexts.
Despite her qualifications, Jane felt she lost out due to preferential hiring.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Overt
Preferential treatment can be subtle and not easily noticed.
He quietly received preferential seating at the event.
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Video examples
Which sunscreen should...
they're less irritating than carbon-based chemical sunscreens. These mineral-based sunscreens are preferential for the environment, too. If you plan on catching rays while splashing in a river or the ocean, keep in mind that carbon-based chemical sunscreens can harm marine life. Take coral reefs, for example.
Video examples
Doesn't everyone deserve...
The most important thing about a preferential option for the poor is what it's not. It's not a preferential option for your own sense of heroism. It's not a preferential option for your own idea about how to lift the poor out of poverty. It's not a preferential option for your own organization.
Video examples
How to Get Around 'No...
hey how you doing I'm Brian what's your name awesome do you guys happen to have a room tonight I know it's Friday and you're super busy I'm one of your regulars though if that matters repeat customers often get preferential treatment the
Video examples
Which sunscreen should...
they're less irritating than carbon-based chemical sunscreens. These mineral-based sunscreens are preferential for the environment, too. If you plan on catching rays while splashing in a river or the ocean, keep in mind that carbon-based chemical sunscreens can harm marine life. Take coral reefs, for example.
Video examples
Doesn't everyone deserve...
The most important thing about a preferential option for the poor is what it's not. It's not a preferential option for your own sense of heroism. It's not a preferential option for your own idea about how to lift the poor out of poverty. It's not a preferential option for your own organization.
Video examples
How to Get Around 'No...
hey how you doing I'm Brian what's your name awesome do you guys happen to have a room tonight I know it's Friday and you're super busy I'm one of your regulars though if that matters repeat customers often get preferential treatment the
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Gad Saad
Canadian Scientist
There is nothing morally objectionable in stating that a country has the inalienable right to decide on the exact number of immigrants and the exact type of immigrants that it wishes to let into its borders. As part of that calculus, it is perfectly rational to exhibit preferential treatment to immigrants who share one's cultural values.
Quote examples
Martha Beck
American Author
The pretty girls get all the good stuff. Oh, God. So not true. I unlearned this after years of coaching beautiful clients. Yes, these lovelies get preferential treatment in most life scenarios, but there's a catch: While everyone's looking at them, virtually no one sees them.
Quote examples
James B. Stewart
American Journalist
The biggest revenue target is the preferential rate for long-term capital gains, which raises a perennial question: Why should capital income be taxed at a much lower rate than ordinary income? Capital assets are owned overwhelmingly by the rich.
Quote examples
Katie Melua
Georgian Musician
When I'm working, I'll often be upgraded to a suite though I don't ask for preferential treatment. I'll be there with a tour manager, my band and various promotions people and the hotel will offer to upgrade one of us; luckily, it's usually me.
Quote examples
Margrethe Vestager
Danish Politician
I do not have an issue with specific countries or companies; what I'm interested in are schemes which allow for preferential treatment, for selectivity... If this has to change, it's countries that will have to change this.
Quote examples
Mark Meadows
American Politician
Should the U.S. grant preferential treatment on trade to an egregious human rights violator that allows human traffickers to operate unencumbered within its borders? The obvious answer would seem to be 'No.
Quote examples
Jenna Wortham
American Journalist
Obama routinely pushed policy that pleased the tech-savvy, including his successful effort to keep broadband suppliers from giving preferential treatment to bigger web companies over individuals.
Quote examples
Michael J. Knowles
American Author
Legacies, athletes, and favored racial minorities all receive preferential treatment from admissions committees to the exclusion of academically better-qualified students.
Quote examples
Keir Starmer
British Politician
Leaving the E.U. without a preferential trade arrangement in place would make the U.K. significantly poorer.
Quote examples
Ben Shapiro
American Author
President Obama has regularly granted special access to reporters who give him preferential coverage.
Quote examples
Gad Saad
Canadian Scientist
There is nothing morally objectionable in stating that a country has the inalienable right to decide on the exact number of immigrants and the exact type of immigrants that it wishes to let into its borders. As part of that calculus, it is perfectly rational to exhibit preferential treatment to immigrants who share one's cultural values.
Quote examples
Martha Beck
American Author
The pretty girls get all the good stuff. Oh, God. So not true. I unlearned this after years of coaching beautiful clients. Yes, these lovelies get preferential treatment in most life scenarios, but there's a catch: While everyone's looking at them, virtually no one sees them.
Quote examples
James B. Stewart
American Journalist
The biggest revenue target is the preferential rate for long-term capital gains, which raises a perennial question: Why should capital income be taxed at a much lower rate than ordinary income? Capital assets are owned overwhelmingly by the rich.
Quote examples
Katie Melua
Georgian Musician
When I'm working, I'll often be upgraded to a suite though I don't ask for preferential treatment. I'll be there with a tour manager, my band and various promotions people and the hotel will offer to upgrade one of us; luckily, it's usually me.
Quote examples
Margrethe Vestager
Danish Politician
I do not have an issue with specific countries or companies; what I'm interested in are schemes which allow for preferential treatment, for selectivity... If this has to change, it's countries that will have to change this.
Quote examples
Mark Meadows
American Politician
Should the U.S. grant preferential treatment on trade to an egregious human rights violator that allows human traffickers to operate unencumbered within its borders? The obvious answer would seem to be 'No.
Quote examples
Jenna Wortham
American Journalist
Obama routinely pushed policy that pleased the tech-savvy, including his successful effort to keep broadband suppliers from giving preferential treatment to bigger web companies over individuals.
Quote examples
Michael J. Knowles
American Author
Legacies, athletes, and favored racial minorities all receive preferential treatment from admissions committees to the exclusion of academically better-qualified students.
Quote examples
Keir Starmer
British Politician
Leaving the E.U. without a preferential trade arrangement in place would make the U.K. significantly poorer.
Quote examples
Ben Shapiro
American Author
President Obama has regularly granted special access to reporters who give him preferential coverage.
Example 1 of 10
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