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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inaugural
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
The return of Tribeca Festival Lisboa after an inaugural 2024 event is a partnership between Tribeca Enterprises, the city of Lisbon, Portuguese broadcaster SIC and the local Opto streamer.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
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
The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) is bringing heavy hitters to its inaugural Korea Pavilion, including public broadcasters KBS and MBC, KT Studiogenie from telecom giant KT, Studio S from media powerhouse SBS, and K-pop specialist Kang Contents.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
The return of Tribeca Festival Lisboa after an inaugural 2024 event is a partnership between Tribeca Enterprises, the city of Lisbon, Portuguese broadcaster SIC and the local Opto streamer.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
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
-
The vast majority of those applications were submitted during the state's first priority window, which ran March 3-23.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Like some other customers, Micah Fannin was checking out Dutch Bros for the first time.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The government said its plan is consistent with a broad offshore wind review Trump ordered just hours after his January inauguration.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The guest list for Bukele’s inauguration on June 1, 2024, illustrated his growing popularity with Republicans.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Arsenal’s flanks were regularly targeted despite Jeglertz admitting the initial game plan was to sear through Arsenal’s middle.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Consider taking screenshots of booking pages that show the original flight times and prices.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
As a media brand whose mission is to elevate depth, nuance, and original reporting in an algorithmic environment that rewards shouting, the vertical strategy provides a unique lane for The Dispatch to grow membership and revenue.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The show is one of several new offerings on Brilliant Lady, which sailed its maiden voyage in early September, and USA TODAY was among the first to see the show.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
As well, Lainey Wilson makes her maiden headlining appearance at Bridgestone Arena a day later.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
Nashville Tennessean,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Goodall was known as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees whose work was captured in more than 40 documentaries, died Wednesday in California.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inaugural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugural. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share