as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time
the sick children were examined preliminarily by the nurse to determine if they had a rash
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Recent Examples of preliminarily
The truck had preliminarily been cleared and was responding to a nearby flight that had requested assistance for an unknown odor in the cockpit, a law enforcement official told CNN.
—
Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Taylor Christian Jones, 32, who has been with the police department for seven years, was arrested and preliminarily charged with battery resulting in moderate bodily injury on March 13.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 16 Mar. 2026
The weekend is preliminarily forecasted to see temperatures warm even further to highs in the mid-50s and may see some chances of rain continue, NWS states.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
At this point, TCEQ has determined, at least preliminarily, that Coontz and Frederick’s application meets state and federal requirements.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2026
The Kendall County Coroner's Office preliminarily identified the two as James Fitzmaurice, 64, and Virgie Fitzmaurice, 62.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Sheriff’s officials said the inmate was preliminarily believed to have died from medical complications and that no foul play was suspected at this time.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Further, Bryant said officers had recovered weapons from his home, including one whose ballistics were preliminarily linked to the homicides.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
She was pronounced dead at the scene, but police preliminarily classified it as a death investigation.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Taylor Christian Jones, 32, who has been with the police department for seven years, was arrested and preliminarily charged with battery resulting in moderate bodily injury on March 13.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 16 Mar. 2026
The weekend is preliminarily forecasted to see temperatures warm even further to highs in the mid-50s and may see some chances of rain continue, NWS states.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
At this point, TCEQ has determined, at least preliminarily, that Coontz and Frederick’s application meets state and federal requirements.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2026
The Kendall County Coroner's Office preliminarily identified the two as James Fitzmaurice, 64, and Virgie Fitzmaurice, 62.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Sheriff’s officials said the inmate was preliminarily believed to have died from medical complications and that no foul play was suspected at this time.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Further, Bryant said officers had recovered weapons from his home, including one whose ballistics were preliminarily linked to the homicides.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
She was pronounced dead at the scene, but police preliminarily classified it as a death investigation.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminarily
Adverb
-
United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents about 37,000 teachers, and SEIU Local 99, which represents roughly 30,000 school support staff, have already set April 14 as a potential strike date if contract agreements are not reached with the district.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Poehling already has a career high in points and is one shy of his personal best for goals.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Like many hotels in Japan, the staff here are specifically trained to assist disabled guests, but calling ahead to notify the staff of your needs will go a long way to smoother experience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Being gentle with yourself is a form of bravery, so go ahead and indulge your softer side.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Tobolowsky previously rejected motions from other Gateway elders, ruling that the suit was not a religious issue and could be handled in secular court.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Trump also previously refused to rule out deploying soldiers.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Two diplomats said the meeting of the council's 15 members and the vote were set for Saturday morning, rather than Friday as earlier planned.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Mark Vientos reached base safely four times, but slugger Juan Soto exited early with right calf tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The Rockies have been humiliated before in their first home game, but never as badly as this.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
McKellen has mentioned the robe-ruiner before.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminarily. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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