as in first
coming before all others in time or order
you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 initial
Bob Harkins, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Lerer Hippeau also is an initial investor in Axios, one of its relatively few non-NY deals, although no longer has a stake.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2024
The document, dated March 14, was supposed to be initialed and signed in multiple places by Hamel, though investigators allege that the signature did not match the one used on police paperwork previously signed by Hamel.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for initial
Adjective
What was Dumont’s initial reaction to the Dončić trade proposal?
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Lerer Hippeau also is an initial investor in Axios, one of its relatively few non-NY deals, although no longer has a stake.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Billingsley read aloud, and then initialed next to, sentences explaining his right to remain silent and his right to have an attorney present, among others.
—Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2024
The document, dated March 14, was supposed to be initialed and signed in multiple places by Hamel, though investigators allege that the signature did not match the one used on police paperwork previously signed by Hamel.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for initial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initial
Adjective
-
The Mavs do have a first round draft selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, which will be in the lottery.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The first baseman, playing in, then got Caballero in a rundown.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Wherever the original source of the incorrect headline came from, it was amplified by trusted sources in financial news, creating a very expensive lesson in the value of accurate and reliable reporting.—
Hadas Gold and Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The Switch 2 will hit store shelves on June 5 for $449.99, up from $300 for the original Switch.—
Teddy Farkas,Steve Kovach,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The launch of the inaugural Toronto Black Maternal Health Week at North York General Hospital featured an exhibition of healthcare providers.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Carson, who served as secretary during President Trump’s first term, endorsed Trump’s most recent bid for the presidency in late 2023.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
-
After penning an op-ed calling for President Biden to step aside during the 2024 presidential election, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in his place, the 2x Oscar winner recently opened up about the ongoing backlash to his statement.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Last year, the U.S., fell out of the top 20 for the first time in the report’s history, landing at No. 23 in the listing authored by several global groups that rank nations’ overall happiness.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
-
In a brief authored by Christopher S. Yates and other attorneys from Latham & Watkins and Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, NASCAR contends that U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell fumbled the law in granting preliminary injunctions to the two teams last December.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The New Shepard, composed of both a rocket and crew capsule, has been making human spaceflights since July 2021, when Bezos himself boarded the spacecraft as part of its maiden crew Need a break?—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The 61-year-old Bezos was aboard the July 20, 2021, maiden flight of Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, named after NASA astronaut Alan Shepard, who in 1961 became the first American to travel in space.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Tuch is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Trump signed another executive order that forced all federal employees who work remotely to return the office.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Ryan Ferrier,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initial. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share