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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Nick Valencia, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
Last week, as my colleagues Tony Briscoe and Hayley Smith reported, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released preliminary test results from hundreds of soil samples collected in areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Sponsored by the Miss Montgomery County Organization, the Miss Bethesda’s Teen title serves as a preliminary to the Miss Maryland and Miss America competitions.
—Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
The extent of the injuries is unclear, according to the law enforcement sources, citing preliminary reports.
—Nick Valencia, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
Last week, as my colleagues Tony Briscoe and Hayley Smith reported, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released preliminary test results from hundreds of soil samples collected in areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
Sophomore Charlie Cutts was the only Saber to make the finals (top eight) in an individual event from the preliminaries Feb. 21.
—Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Sponsored by the Miss Montgomery County Organization, the Miss Bethesda’s Teen title serves as a preliminary to the Miss Maryland and Miss America competitions.
—Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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The overdraft rule, which the consumer bureau finalized in December after years of preparatory work, was scheduled to take effect in late 2025.—
Stacy Cowley,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Of those five, sources close to negotiations say the biggest point of conflict Monday was a debate over preparatory time for elementary school teachers.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Image Lacking indoor plumbing, the family basked in this sauna as a prelude to bathing in the cold lake.—
Julie Lasky,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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At one point, during our game, my mother-in-law said that dominoes could be used to speak to the dead, a comment that had no prelude and which received no verbal response from anyone at the table.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For various introductory examples and further detailed indications about generating prompts prompting, see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Completing an introductory period does not guarantee continued employment.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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