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
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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
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
There was also a preliminary report of 6 inches of snow near La Porte, Texas, southeast of Houston.
—Jeff Martin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 1 Aug. 2024
Born in Baltimore and a graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School, swimmer Tommy Hannan won gold as a swimmer in the preliminaries of the Sydney 2000 400 medley relay, which was won by teammates swimming in the finals.
—Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for preliminary 
Adjective
In both of those cases, the courts declined to issue a preliminary injunction on behalf of plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of the CTA.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
There was also a preliminary report of 6 inches of snow near La Porte, Texas, southeast of Houston.
—Jeff Martin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
The two athletes set the stage for fierce competition during the qualification round on Aug. 28, with Andrade finishing second to Biles in the all-around preliminaries.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 1 Aug. 2024
Born in Baltimore and a graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School, swimmer Tommy Hannan won gold as a swimmer in the preliminaries of the Sydney 2000 400 medley relay, which was won by teammates swimming in the finals.
—Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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The resolution called for a concrete process consisting of preparatory sessions in 2026 and 2027, and three-week negotiations in 2028 and 2029, where a treaty will be finalized.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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The ultimate sources of that water — three tanks each with a capacity of roughly 1 million gallons — were filled as a preparatory measure before the fires broke out, city authorities say.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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At times, the session, which lasted over five hours, seemed to be a prelude to the as-yet unscheduled confirmation hearings for Kash Patel, Mr. Trump’s pick to run the F.B.I., which is part of the Justice Department.—
Glenn Thrush,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2025
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What will happen with his fandom will be a prelude of what’s to come.—
Angela Watercutter,
WIRED,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Her two other full-lengths, Happier Than Ever and Hit Me Hard and Soft, as well as her introductory EP Don’t Smile at Me, all continue to hold on as Americans buy and stream them constantly.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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That’s the part of Campbell’s introductory speech that everyone leaves out.—
Zak Keefer,
The Athletic,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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