INITIAL Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

initial 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈni-shəl

Definition of initial

as in first

coming before all others in time or order you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

initial

2 of 2

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 initial

Adjective

The Dow Jones consensus estimate is for 207,000 initial claims. — Tom Rotunno, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026 Once again, the rocket's lower-stage booster, known as Super Heavy, is due to land off the Gulf Coast after providing the initial burst of thrust to get the upper-stage off the ground. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

The lawyer tells you to initial every page. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 The documents largely amount to a memorandum of understanding, with the two countries’ foreign ministers initialling a peace agreement, and Aliyev and Pashinyan signing a joint declaration to pursue a lasting peace. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for initial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for initial

Adjective

Atkinson won the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year prize with her first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
The first operation, in June, led authorities to a box truck carrying some 2,000 animals, a mix of reptiles, fish and invertebrates that were being smuggled for sale on the black market.

— John Donegan LONG BEACH POST, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of first

Verb

The safety provisions in the agreement are meaningful, but the standards will only be effective if all AI companies, especially the tech giants, sign on, said Josh Golin, executive director of online safety nonprofit Fairplay.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
These are players Newcastle United attempted to sign on multiple occasions — or at the very least held a long-term interest in — but who never actually made the move to St James’ Park.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of sign on

Adjective

A student there named John-Michael Tebelak wrote the book for the show as his master’s thesis, with original songs provided by his friends.

— Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
My favorite for proximity and—ambiance—is Williamsburg, which is the original location.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of original

Verb

Manchin raised eyebrows by endorsing Collins against Democrat Troy Jackson, marking the second consecutive cycle Manchin has backed his former colleague.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The union plans to spend several million dollars on anti-Raman ads, Noah reports, targeting her membership in the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which recently endorsed her candidacy.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of endorse

Verb

Educational technology products built on generative AI often make unsupported claims of improving young students' learning and critical thinking skills, according to an APA report co-authored by Barnes that published on Thursday.

— Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
His legislative record includes co-authoring a statewide rent stabilization law, the strongest renter protection bill in decades.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of author

Adjective

One day before the anniversary of his first (and, so far, only) F1 victory, Gasly secured a stunning maiden pole position at Monza.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Try maiden grass for something tall and upright that can also serve well as a privacy barrier.

— Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of maiden

Verb

Both Chelsea and Villa broke their transfer record to sign a player from the other, with Morgan Rogers moving to Stamford Bridge and Nicolas Jackson heading in the opposite direction.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The new agreement has been signed between Thales and India’s Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL).

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of sign

Browse Nearby Words

iniquity

initial

initialed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initial. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of initial

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on initial

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

watershed

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes