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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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
Adjective
The Valkyries made history in their inaugural season, becoming the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its debut year. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 The six projects selected for the inaugural lab came to El Gouna to pitch their series and meet potential industry partners, with the aim of moving the projects closer to production. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 24 Oct. 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
  • That the first foreign policy message after the victory went to Moscow, and through a Russian state outlet, says a good deal about where the new government’s instincts lie.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • After a short teaser clip lit up the internet with news of their return, Dead Man’s Bones—the duo of Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields—are officially back with their first new music in 17 years.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of first
Noun
  • Expand One week before his inauguration as the new mayor of Arlington Heights, Jim Tinaglia walked through the downtown streets he’s called home for more than 50 years.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The administrative notices were sent out just a couple of weeks after the inauguration and included the team in charge of dispelling disinformation.
    — Andy Mannix, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of inauguration
Adjective
  • Court records show that the investigation into the initial allegations was inconclusive.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The progress came roughly a year after the program received funding for its initial engineering, manufacturing and development phase.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • The original owners were vaudevillians who had a mind-reading act and were passionately into the occult.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The new record is the closest that the two have come to infusing their distinctive DJing style into their original productions.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of original
Adjective
  • Peacock’s maiden second-quarter profit was lifted by FIFA World Cup games, which contributed $440 million in incremental media revenues.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After victories at Real Sociedad and at home against Sturm Graz, the English club faces its toughest challenge yet in its perfect maiden European campaign.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of maiden
Adjective
  • The bigger problem, explained one of the world’s foremost experts on longevity, is timing.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Astaire is the world's foremost exponent of that particular variety of heart throb!
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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