as in first
coming before all others in time or order
you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of initial
Noe Padilla, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
The Heat had enough interest in Memphis guard Ja Morant to make an initial call to the Grizzlies weeks ago.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
One ballot was tossed out because it wasn’t initialed by an election judge, and Balich won the position via a lottery.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for initial
Adjective
But the company plans to expand its operations into 13 other major cities — two of which are Sacramento and Boston, which are in the initial phase of operations.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
The Heat had enough interest in Memphis guard Ja Morant to make an initial call to the Grizzlies weeks ago.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
The documents largely amount to a memorandum of understanding, with the two countries’ foreign ministers initialling a peace agreement, and Aliyev and Pashinyan signing a joint declaration to pursue a lasting peace.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
One ballot was tossed out because it wasn’t initialed by an election judge, and Balich won the position via a lottery.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for initial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initial
Adjective
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In August 2025, a 1,063-square-foot home on the first block of South Claremont Avenue in San Jose sold for $915,000, a price per square foot of $861.—
Unitedrobotsrealestate,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Food preferences begin in the first years of life, so the findings of the study are alarming, said Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, an alliance of nonprofits, scientists and donors with a mission of reducing babies’ exposures to neurotoxic chemicals.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There’s no sign on the closet door either, to avoid broadcasting who’s using it.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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For some reason, Scott got so hyped up during his performance that the rapper all of a sudden turned to the Fanatics sign on the wall behind him and smashed it, according to TMZ.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While neighboring vineyards resorted to grafting their vines onto pest-resistant American roots, DRC used various intensive strategies to keep its original European vines intact, at least until the 1940s.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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In 2017, McRae went back to her YouTube roots and uploaded a video of herself singing an original ballad.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Millions of people watch the Olympic Games, and every logo shown on screen sends a message about what aligns with Olympic values, and what the Olympic movement chooses to endorse.—
Ukaleq Slettemark,
Time,
11 Feb. 2026
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Bass supported Raman during her successful 2024 reelection bid, and just weeks before announcing her mayoral run, Raman endorsed Bass for reelection.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Being able to stay home and not have to leave their older child was the main reason the Schapanskys agreed to have Avry Jo be the inaugural patient.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
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Following the successful inaugural edition last year—attracting over 500 applications, 21 finalists and three winners—the 2026 program will swell its impact across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gioia said such a bill authored by State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, is moving through the legislature currently and could be approved by the summer.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
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The original legislation authored by state Senator Scott Wiener did not exempt state law enforcement, and exemptions for the California Highway Patrol and other state agencies were added later due to pressure from law enforcement unions rather than constitutional necessity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, though, Geeslin and other prominent members of the local Deaf community are concerned that a new master’s program at Butler University will result in fewer deaf kids learning to sign.—
Claire Rafford,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
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Local leaders in Maryland also signed bills banning private detention centers.—
Lautaro Grinspan,
AJC.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Inter Miami star served as a special guest for the vessel’s official naming ceremony ahead of its maiden voyage out of PortMiami.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
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During its maiden flight in May, the YH-1000 delivered cargo weighing approximately 400 kilograms.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initial. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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