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
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, preliminary gross domestic product figures for Japan, and the second estimate for the euro zone, come out Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
—Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025
Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2024
Macdonald, a 23-time X Games champion, zipped through the skate park during the preliminaries, showing off flashy moves, including a Madonna and a body varial 540.
—NBC News, 8 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
Husain is scheduled for a preliminary hearing within the next 60 to 90 days, according to Andrews.
—Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, preliminary gross domestic product figures for Japan, and the second estimate for the euro zone, come out Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
—Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2024
Macdonald, a 23-time X Games champion, zipped through the skate park during the preliminaries, showing off flashy moves, including a Madonna and a body varial 540.
—NBC News, 8 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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This method can temporarily manage symptoms or serve as a preparatory step before a more comprehensive surgical procedure.11 2.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
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But this time measures like the travel ban were replaced by more methodical reviews and preparatory actions that could serve as the precursors to such policies while putting them on more solid legal footing.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
The New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on the same day that Ukraine would have to concede Crimea, an area of Ukraine that was seized by Russia in 2014 in a prelude to the current conflict, and its aspirations to NATO membership in order to reach a peace agreement.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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The new ongoing series will launch with a 10-page prelude by Slott and Albuquerque in DC All In 2025 FCBD Special Edition No. 1 on May 3 as part of DC’s Free Comic Book Day programming.—
Borys Kit,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Borrowers who can pay off their debt within a credit card’s introductory period often face an interest rate of 0%.—
Victor Rosario,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Feb. 2025
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New subscribers can take advantage of Sling’s standard offer of 50 percent off the first month and a $5 introductory rate for add-on subscriptions such as Paramount+ with Showtime (reg.—
Danielle Directo-Meston,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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