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
Todd James, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Trump has complained about a preliminary annual revision that was issued in August 2024, that showed the US economy had added 818,000 fewer jobs over the past year than previously reported.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025
Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Early preliminaries will air on ESPN+, Disney+, and UFC Fight Pass starting at 6 p.m. ET.
—Jim Varsallone, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
That same spring, another federal judge granted preliminary class-action status to a case against Workday, according to an HR Dive article.
—Todd James, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Trump has complained about a preliminary annual revision that was issued in August 2024, that showed the US economy had added 818,000 fewer jobs over the past year than previously reported.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
As a preliminary for Roland Garros, a good run in Rome will do just fine to get the rust out of the racket.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Early preliminaries will air on ESPN+, Disney+, and UFC Fight Pass starting at 6 p.m. ET.
—Jim Varsallone, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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There was also the dismantling of a temporary stand, plus the all-important deactivation of a live electric cable underneath the old Kop, as preparatory work continues ahead of the new 7,500-capacity stand starting to go up, on schedule, in the autumn.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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Prevention of these atrocities is a faraway goal with little to no preparatory work being undertaken by States.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Without prelude, Eva Longoria suddenly popped up in the second episode of this spring’s fourth season of FX’s Welcome to Wrexham, cheering alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny (now Rob Mac) in the crowd at the Racecourse.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Aug. 2025
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And, just by wild coincidence, the stunt came right as the administration barreled ahead with the bombing of Iran, a destabilizing and politically unpopular action that for many Americans recalled the preludes to other catastrophic wars the U.S. has initiated in the Middle East.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Over its introductory weekend in theaters, the third Man of Steel reboot released this millennium sold $125 million in tickets in North America.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
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In its history, over 2.5 million young people have taken a free introductory flight through Young Eagles.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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