1
as in interim
intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time
will form a provisional government until a new leader can be elected
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temporary
serving in a position for the time being
he was appointed provisional executor of the industrialist's vast estate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provisional
Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco told the county Board of Supervisors in February that the group had relied on unverified data and had not included provisional votes and other confidential voter records.
—
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Identity becomes provisional, even negotiable—one person merging into the outline of another.
—Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
Every ballot is accounted for, every seal that secures a machine has a number that’s recorded and checked, and every provisional ballot is fully documented and sent along for adjudication by the election board.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
That effort reached a milestone in July 2021, when the International Olympic Committee granted cheerleading provisional recognition.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Identity becomes provisional, even negotiable—one person merging into the outline of another.
—Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
Every ballot is accounted for, every seal that secures a machine has a number that’s recorded and checked, and every provisional ballot is fully documented and sent along for adjudication by the election board.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
That effort reached a milestone in July 2021, when the International Olympic Committee granted cheerleading provisional recognition.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provisional
Adjective
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Then Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje, one of just two Americans who currently hold even a share of the UFC’s 11 championship belts.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Solana Beach and Del Mar recently approved the hiring of Colin Stowell as interim fire chief to serve both cities during the transition.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Still, energy analysts note global markets tend to adjust over time — even if short-term disruptions can lead to temporary price spikes.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Hair shedding is usually temporary, but hair loss can sometimes be permanent.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provisional. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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