as in first
coming before all others in time or order
you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of initial
Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 19 Feb. 2026
But hydrogen leaks were detected during an initial wet dress rehearsal countdown.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
One ballot was tossed out because it wasn’t initialed by an election judge, and Balich won the position via a lottery.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for initial
Adjective
This study provides some initial evidence that lemon water may affect digestion.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 19 Feb. 2026
But hydrogen leaks were detected during an initial wet dress rehearsal countdown.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
One ballot was tossed out because it wasn’t initialed by an election judge, and Balich won the position via a lottery.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for initial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initial
Adjective
-
Taylor Whitehill added 13 points, while Avery Lanore scored 12 and Maddie Schneider scored 11 for the Mustangs, who took control in the first half, outscoring the Pirates 27-17 and extending the advantage in the second half.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
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The Lakers led by 11 points in the first half and 12 in the second half – the latter after Reaves made a jumper early in the third quarter to begin a 10-0 Laker run – but Bane tied the score at 81 before giving Orlando (31-26) a handful of two-point leads in the fourth quarter.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, those who swear by the zodiac have the chance to wear their cosmic sign on their wrists, in the form of 18k white gold or 18k yellow gold bracelets.—
Micaela English,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
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Corruption – Governor Abbott has put a for sale sign on Texas.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
Verb
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United Domestic Workers, a union partly founded by Cesar Chavez that represents over 200,000 home care and child care workers statewide, said Wednesday that its executive board had voted to endorse Tom Steyer, a San Francisco climate change activist.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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Then-candidate Vice President Kamala Harris quickly endorsed the campaign promise.—
Luke Garrett,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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All of this was capped off by her Rose team capturing the inaugural Unrivaled championship.—
D’Joumbarey Moreau,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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The issue began earlier this week with the inaugural Frame Forward AI Animated Film Festival announcing Igor Alferov’s short film Thanksgiving Day had won the contest.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Hall of Famer authored many of the club’s most iconic moments while leading his team to three World Series championships.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Steuerwald authored the original 2021 bill.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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About 400 people initially signed the statement, representing a range of Christian denominations, leaders of Black, Asian and Latino churches and associations and Christian universities and institutions.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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Because of the song, Dear, who's also known as Axxturel, was signed by Atlantic Records, per Billboard.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 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
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initial. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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