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
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Two weeks after the initial attacks, unleaded and diesel gas prices have skyrocketed alongside the cost of oil.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
One ballot was tossed out because it wasn’t initialed by an election judge, and Balich won the position via a lottery.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for initial
Adjective
Within the locker room, the disagreements over initial vote left rifts.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Two weeks after the initial attacks, unleaded and diesel gas prices have skyrocketed alongside the cost of oil.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
The documents largely amount to a memorandum of understanding, with the two countries’ foreign ministers initialling a peace agreement, and Aliyev and Pashinyan signing a joint declaration to pursue a lasting peace.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
One ballot was tossed out because it wasn’t initialed by an election judge, and Balich won the position via a lottery.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for initial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initial
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, for the GOP nomination for secretary of state, Harris and Adamczyk were vying for the right to compete against Giannoulias, a first-term incumbent, in November’s general election.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
This Revive formula lived up to its name, adding more shine, bounce, and control after the very first use.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now open 365 days, as the sign on Olympic Boulevard states, Santee Alley is our very own bazaar.—
Lilliam Rivera,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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But the $280 million, all or a portion, would only be paid out if states sign on to the deal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
El Concilio — the group that led the effort to rename First Street for Cesar Chavez in 1993 — voted to pursue reversing that change, asking City Council to restore the street’s original name.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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The reality television show that made the family a household name has been off the air for over a decade, but the family managed to foray the cancellation of the original series into TLC spin-offs, brand deals, and social media fame.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Or will Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, who endorsed the snitch site when it was launched, be a fair arbiter of charges against federal agents?—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
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The committee unanimously endorsed a separate ballot measure sponsored by Lee that would give the City Council more power over budget cuts and give the mayor less power.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In 2025, the venue hosted King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s inaugural Field of Vision festival and Pretty Lights’ first Yahn Dawn festival.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
This rule includes the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, which had its inaugural run in January, and the upcoming women’s World Cup in Brazil next summer.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Articles attributed to this byline are authored by paying advertisers.—
Phan Khang,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The president on Sunday also attacked Boasberg, who authored the ruling.—
Meghan Mistry,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump has similarly fumed at Thune, going so far as to refuse to sign bills until the SAVE America Act reaches his desk.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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The 34-year-old Panarin subsequently signed a two-year, $22 million extension with Los Angeles.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In November 2022, as NASA prepared for its maiden Artemis launch, agents from its Office of Protective Services made an unsettling discovery whose details have never been previously revealed.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Odisea departed Germany on Friday, March 13, for her maiden voyage.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initial. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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