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
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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
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Recent Examples of inaugural
Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
The exhibitors represent forty-three countries; twenty-one galleries will make their inaugural appearances at the event.
—News Desk, Artforum, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Hondras was chosen by Los Angeles with the 11th pick of the fourth round in the inaugural draft for the new league, which also has teams representing New York, Boston and San Francisco.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
The exhibitors represent forty-three countries; twenty-one galleries will make their inaugural appearances at the event.
—News Desk, Artforum, 19 Feb. 2026
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
-
But midway through the first, Nayeli Thayer (two assists) found Cataruzolo for a shot at the right post and a 2-0 lead on the rebound after Metzler stuffed the first bid.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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During this more recent round of Epstein disclosures, Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard University and Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, was among the first business leaders to experience professional blowback.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump even put out a crypto coin of his own days before his inauguration—the value of which, like most meme coins, skyrocketed before collapsing.—
James Surowiecki,
The Atlantic,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Two charities set up to pay for Newsom’s inaugurations in 2019 and 2023 moved more than $5 million to the protocol foundation since 2019.—
Melody Gutierrez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Public pressure became even stronger after the initial wave of Ukrainian liberations of towns around Kyiv revealed Russian atrocities – including mass killings of civilians.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Authorities in Minnesota are investigating two more fatal house fires after an initial deadly blaze last weekend.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Now a Westin now, the property includes a modern tower, upping the original room count of 75 to 791.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The scientists returned in 2019 and located the original site using drones and GPS.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Italy finished its maiden World Cup appearance with plaudits after stunning Nepal and losing to England narrowly, Scotland and the West Indies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Plutarch lost his first four starts, including three in stakes races, before winning a maiden race on the final day of Del Mar’s fall meeting.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
About Artforum Artforum is the magazine of record for the contemporary art industry and holds the unique roles of institution, nexus, and foremost tastemaker of the art world.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Here are the foremost players who hit that category for the Broncos in 2026, according to OvertheCap.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inaugural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugural. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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