as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of preliminary
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 The clock is ticking on his right to a preliminary hearing within 10 days of being charged. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026 The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
The votes are preliminary, with WBD expected to release more complete results later on. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 The clock is ticking on his right to a preliminary hearing within 10 days of being charged. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium? —Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026 The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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The first direct negotiations between the two states since 1993 are intended as preparatory meetings to shape future talks on a deal to normalize ties between the countries.— David Brennan, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
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Because the images rotate at a screen-saver pace, my advice would be to focus on the preparatory drawings and cartoons, which are like sparks thrown off some great, beautiful machine.— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The vast No Kings demonstrations should be considered a prelude to targeting enough Republican Senate incumbents and open races to flip the Senate this fall, and pressuring Republicans up for reelection in 2028 to do their constitutional duty.— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
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Some staff fear this could be a prelude to job cuts.— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The class would enable students to gain specialized skills needed for employment after graduation or for further post-secondary training, a memo from the district said, and would also provide students with opportunities to teach other students in the district’s introductory welding course.— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
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Sign up today for How to Talk To People At Work and use the coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off the regular course price of $57 (plus tax).— CNBC Make It staff, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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