pretrial
adjective
pre·tri·al
ˌprē-ˈtrī(-ə)l 
variants
or pre-trial
: occurring or existing before a trial
a pretrial hearing
Examples of pretrial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Along with changes to pretrial release, there tends to be more crime — and more bookings — in warmer months, McFadden said.
—
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
After the judge dismissed the felony domestic violence case, Wise filed a motion in the misdemeanor steroid possession case to allow the former police officer to enter a pretrial diversion program.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
Today, Rikers incarcerates approximately sixty-seven hundred people—most of whom are in pretrial detention, others who are serving terms of less than a year—in facilities that are within New York City while also being out of sight and largely out of reach.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
The court has set a May 29 deadline for the pretrial conference.
—Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretrial
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Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
After the judge dismissed the felony domestic violence case, Wise filed a motion in the misdemeanor steroid possession case to allow the former police officer to enter a pretrial diversion program.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
Today, Rikers incarcerates approximately sixty-seven hundred people—most of whom are in pretrial detention, others who are serving terms of less than a year—in facilities that are within New York City while also being out of sight and largely out of reach.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
The court has set a May 29 deadline for the pretrial conference.
—Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pretrial
Cite this Entry
“Pretrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretrial. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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