inaugural 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-rəl How to pronounce inaugural (audio)
Definition of inauguralnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

inaugural

2 of 2

noun

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

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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
Adjective
The uniforms draw inspiration from pop art, a style popularized by Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol, and the team's 60-year history, including the blue color associated with the franchise's inaugural season in 1967. — Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 Robertson declared during a Saturday evening news conference after winning World Bass Enterprises' inaugural The Champions tournament on Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
In Andrew Jackson's first inaugural, Andrew Jackson calls himself an instrument of the federal Constitution. — NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for inaugural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaugural
  1. first
  2. inauguration
  3. initial
  4. original
  5. maiden
  6. foremost
Adjective
  • Rodney Rice had 15 points and nine assists in his first game since a season-ending shoulder injury last year, and KJ Lewis added 10 points.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The first is solid-state chlorination, which is being developed by project partner TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of first
Noun
  • The inauguration also underlined the close ties between business and politics.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Top beneficiaries include the same corporate giants that wrote seven-figure checks to the president’s campaign and inauguration.
    — Andrew Behar, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of inauguration
Adjective
  • Hell Week is widely considered one of the most physically and mentally demanding portions of the initial training, which lasts roughly six months.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Court records show the church's initial investigation into the boys' report was inconclusive, and Hamilton later said in a debate he was not involved in the decision to allow the volunteer to return.
    — Grace Hills, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • The backstory The original Okura, opened in 1962, was a modernist icon beloved for its distinctive lobby and mid-century design.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • O'Brien and Bashir were digitally pasted over the original actors in the former, while the latter was explained away by Sisko and Dax's madcap dash to find the elusive explosive tribble.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of original
Adjective
  • Its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City that began on April 10, 1912, made headlines across the globe, according to Britannica.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The historic ocean liner made its maiden voyage in 1952 and broke the transatlantic speed record by crossing from New York to Europe in just three days.
    — CBS Philadelphia, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of maiden
Adjective
  • My health and long-term well-being remain my foremost priorities.
    — Mike Toole, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Now its glassy waters are the centerpiece of new glamping cabins that cater to Cuyuna Country, one of the Midwest’s foremost mountain biking destinations.
    — Midwest Living, Midwest Living, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of foremost

Browse Nearby Words

inaudibly
inaugural
inaugurals
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Cite this Entry

“Inaugural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugural. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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