as in first
coming before all others in time or order
the inaugural event in the city's week long festival honoring the sailing ships
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inauguration
the process or an instance of being formally placed in an office or organization
attended the inaugurals of the city's last three mayors
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inaugural
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
The Caveman Burger from Bailey's Family Restaurant in Cave City -- a 2-pound, single ground-beef patty on a 9-inch bun to which customers can make a double or add cheese and/or bacon -- won the inaugural competition in 2024.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2026
Edward Russell, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Not So Glamorous Speaking of which, inaugurals are theoretically supposed to be glamorous.
—Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inaugural
Adjective
Fox also put up good numbers for its inaugural Saturday primetime game of the season.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
The Caveman Burger from Bailey's Family Restaurant in Cave City -- a 2-pound, single ground-beef patty on a 9-inch bun to which customers can make a double or add cheese and/or bacon -- won the inaugural competition in 2024.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
If fundraising is Global’s plan with its pair of inaugurals, leaving its A380 parked at JFK for four days between flights is an odd choice.
—Edward Russell, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Not So Glamorous Speaking of which, inaugurals are theoretically supposed to be glamorous.
—Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inaugural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaugural
Adjective
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Ace right-hander Jacob deGrom, making his first start of the season after being scratched Saturday with a neck injury, cruised through the first four innings and almost made if out of the fifth, but Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run double to tie the game at 3.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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Yet this is part of a trend that’s defined the Knicks’ first season under Brown, one that also predated Brown’s arrival as a through-line over the course of last season’s playoff run.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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He was invited there, along with several other artists, to attend Jimmy Carter’s presidential inauguration in January 1977, on a trip meant to supply the subject matter for a print to be included in an inaugural fundraising portfolio.—
Michael Lobel,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
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Since his inauguration, the president has paved over the Rose Garden lawn, demolished the East Wing and moved forward with plans for a 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom — a project a federal judge ordered halted Tuesday, March 31.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As well as continuing to restore water service to his residence after the initial altercation.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Instead of getting a kickstart on redetermination, which would have started in July under the initial bill, redeterminations will begin in 2027.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Throughout the property, the original building's bones— beams, tiles, pillars, and window frames—were gently restored to show their age and patina, not conceal it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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Judge Barrett, who handed down the original sentence, will likely be the one to do it.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida has witnessed the liftoff of several historic Apollo missions, including the one in 1969 that put humans on the moon for the first time, and the maiden flight of Space Shuttle Columbia.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
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Still, the synergy between the two will loom large as the Spurs approach the maiden postseason voyage of the Wembanyama era next month.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Antonio Express-News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Its seminary is the foremost clerical institution in the world, training students from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan in a wide range of topics, including Shiite jurisprudence, Quranic interpretation and Arabic literature.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
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The meeting has been positioned as a critical opportunity for both sides to reset the relationship between the world’s two foremost economic and military powers.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inaugural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugural. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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