1
as in interim
intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time
will form a provisional government until a new leader can be elected
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temporary
serving in a position for the time being
he was appointed provisional executor of the industrialist's vast estate
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Recent Examples of provisional
In order for a provisional application to take place, one member state must ratify the EMPA.
—
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, election officials will review and make determinations on any provisional ballots cast.
—Morgan Matzen, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Jan. 2026
The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data runs through August 2025 and represents the first update of monthly provisional drug overdose deaths since the federal government shutdown.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Habba had secured the indictment before her provisional term expired.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, election officials will review and make determinations on any provisional ballots cast.
—Morgan Matzen, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Jan. 2026
The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data runs through August 2025 and represents the first update of monthly provisional drug overdose deaths since the federal government shutdown.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Habba had secured the indictment before her provisional term expired.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provisional
Adjective
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He will be replaced on a temporary basis by Rafa Yuste, the club’s current sporting vice-president, who will serve as interim president until June 30.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The interim government has faced criticism over the past year for making broad development promises based on MoUs with foreign investors, many of which have yet to be converted into binding contracts.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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At least three people died and nearly two dozen others were injured after a building used as temporary lodgings for workers caught fire early Friday in a suburb of Hungary's capital, authorities said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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And Thursday’s restoration of funding is temporary, pending a ruling on the feds’ motions in the Second Circuit — a reality acknowledged by the GDC on Thursday.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provisional. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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