as in first
coming before all others in time or order
you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of initial
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
According to initial police reports, the boy was outside when a car pulled up and a man got out, pointed a gun at the youth and demanded his property, which included a scooter and cell phone.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
The lawyer tells you to initial every page.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for initial
Adjective
Key showcased strong skills as a blocker and decent hands in college, but will need to carve out a role as a trusty possession receiver and special-teamer to have any shot at cracking Denver’s initial 53-man roster.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
According to initial police reports, the boy was outside when a car pulled up and a man got out, pointed a gun at the youth and demanded his property, which included a scooter and cell phone.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Verb
The Ecuadorian interdisciplinary artist and fashion designer launched her label, Soak (aka her initials backward), in 2021.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
The lawyer tells you to initial every page.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for initial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initial
Adjective
-
Romo’s home runs were the first of the season by a Sox catcher.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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And while this is the king's first visit to his son's new home country since the rift, the four-day work trip isn't a personal one.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The first brands to sign on are all overseas phone makers.—
Florence Ion,
PC Magazine,
7 May 2026
-
Bieber did away with the stark, black finishes, replacing everything with soft fabrics in sand and cream tones, and hanging a brand sign on a mirror in the entryway—perfect for snapping selfies with Rhode’s viral lip-balm-holding phone case.—
Lucy Feldman,
Time,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the filmmaker’s imagination transfigures personal history into something not of this world, wholly original, and uniquely demented.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
In the video, published in 2024 and noted in the lawsuit, James references the original sketch work for Neytiri.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Raman, who had endorsed Bass’ reelection before throwing her hat in at the last minute, came off as inexperienced, touchy and unprepared.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Five House Democrats—including candidates in New York, New Jersey, California, and Virginia—were recently endorsed by Leading the Future.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The 26-year-old San Diego native previously joined SDFC as a Stage 1 selection in the 2024 MLS re-entry draft and was part of the club’s inaugural-season roster last year.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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The inaugural Rock Star Mom honoree was Giselli Veloz, senior program manager at LIFT-NY.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Setting aside the fact that Alonso was a homegrown fan favorite, the club’s all-time leader in home runs, and a player who authored some of the greatest moments in the team’s recent history, the Polar Bear was extremely durable.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
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These changes are set to take effect on July 1 and stem from Assembly Bill 1777, authored by former California State Assemblyman Philip Ting.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The meaning of the Declaration was not entirely clear at the outset, even to those who wrote or signed it.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Trump signed an order to expand retirement account access for workers.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Either would be final favorite as Atletico and Arsenal both seek their maiden crown.—
Greg Cote
May 3,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
-
Golden Tempo won his first two races this past winter at the Fair Grounds, a maiden race and the Lecomte Stakes.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initial. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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