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
Relevance
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
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Heat kills more people than any other weather hazard in a typical year, according to NOAA, which reports an average of 238 heat deaths annually based on a 10-year preliminary average from 2015 through 2024.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2026
Personal Finance Columnist,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 Apr. 2026
The hockey playoffs weren’t affected by the storm and are expected to start on March 2 with Division II preliminaries.
—
Jacob Rousseau,
The Providence Journal,
26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
Residents and preliminary police findings indicate the tutoring center was operating in an aging building.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Heat kills more people than any other weather hazard in a typical year, according to NOAA, which reports an average of 238 heat deaths annually based on a 10-year preliminary average from 2015 through 2024.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2026
Noun
Tickets to the mixed archery preliminary set me back $110 each, then $85 each for the mixed equestrian preliminary.
—
Personal Finance Columnist,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 Apr. 2026
The hockey playoffs weren’t affected by the storm and are expected to start on March 2 with Division II preliminaries.
—
Jacob Rousseau,
The Providence Journal,
26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
-
Another measure to speed up the preparatory studies proposes that when a power plant operator and a large load customer of a similar size both apply for access to the grid, only one study of the impact of both players joining should be conducted, rather than sequential studies.
-
Separate preparatory meetings with each side are set to take place in Doha this week, ahead of the official signing in Switzerland and the start of the technical talks, the diplomat said.
Noun
-
Analysts widely believe Monday’s announcement is a prelude to eventual sales of both Comcast and NBCUniversal, a theory that Comcast rejects.
-
The current ceasefire is likely a prelude to the next round of war.
Adjective
-
Consider starting each rule section with a positive introductory statement.
-
The introductory course for PPEL required students to read, on average, just twenty-seven pages a week.
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
