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
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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
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
According to preliminary information from the KCFD, the crash involved two box trucks.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Aside from this, Team USA TV will be airing preliminaries along with the semifinals of some of the artistic swimming and diving competitions.
—Paras J. Haji, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
American consumers are downbeat about the economy, according to preliminary results of a monthly survey conducted by the University of Michigan.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
According to preliminary information from the KCFD, the crash involved two box trucks.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Aside from this, Team USA TV will be airing preliminaries along with the semifinals of some of the artistic swimming and diving competitions.
—Paras J. Haji, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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The Champions Trophy exit was equally passive after a dreadful showing in the preparatory bilateral series against India.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Midday Friday, the military changed course, marking the latest escalation after weeks of preparatory strikes in some of the city’s neighborhoods and calling up tens of thousands of reservists.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This is especially true when considering its journey through fickle and quick-witted Gemini, a prelude of what’s to come after its official debut on July 7 for the first time in 84 years.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
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That sweep of the Red Sox was just a prelude to six additional series for the Orioles over the season’s final six weeks that could alter the playoff picture in two different leagues.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Rodrigo’s introductory project is now up to 224 weeks on the main albums tally and streaming roster, but only 196 turns on the all-encompassing sales list.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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There’s a simmering rage and self-loathing to Blakey, which Latif matches in the form of unpredictable camera motion, but these introductory moments are about as energetic as the movie ever gets.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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