as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time
the sick children were examined preliminarily by the nurse to determine if they had a rash
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Recent Examples of preliminarily
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but investigators preliminarily believe a source of natural gas was released in the basement and used to start the fire, Alpine Township Fire Chief Jeremy Kelly said.
—
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 28 May 2026
The Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) called for federal assistance in mid-May after preliminarily reporting that 90 farmers suffered losses across their crops.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
On April 29, 2026, the European Commission preliminarily found Meta in breach of the Digital Services Act for failing to prevent minors under 13 from accessing Instagram and Facebook.
—Bhakti Mirchandani, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
At the board’s April 10, 2026, meeting, all nine Republican members preliminarily approved the materials, while the five Democrats rejected the list.
—Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026
Temperatures are also preliminarily expected to remain cool heading into the weekend, NWS states.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
According to the report, the departments preliminarily agreed with those recommendations.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Police said the fire has been preliminarily deemed accidental.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The truck had preliminarily been cleared and was responding to a nearby flight that had requested assistance for an unknown odor in the cockpit, a law enforcement official told CNN.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 28 May 2026
The Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) called for federal assistance in mid-May after preliminarily reporting that 90 farmers suffered losses across their crops.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
On April 29, 2026, the European Commission preliminarily found Meta in breach of the Digital Services Act for failing to prevent minors under 13 from accessing Instagram and Facebook.
—Bhakti Mirchandani, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
At the board’s April 10, 2026, meeting, all nine Republican members preliminarily approved the materials, while the five Democrats rejected the list.
—Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026
Temperatures are also preliminarily expected to remain cool heading into the weekend, NWS states.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
According to the report, the departments preliminarily agreed with those recommendations.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Police said the fire has been preliminarily deemed accidental.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The truck had preliminarily been cleared and was responding to a nearby flight that had requested assistance for an unknown odor in the cockpit, a law enforcement official told CNN.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminarily
Adverb
-
Sweet Magnolias fans have already said goodbye to one of Serenity's most complicated residents, but many are still wondering why.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
-
Perhaps Wetzel is already thinking about a radio-friendly alternate line.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Adverb
-
Even when the comeback seemed for naught when Stephon Castle was fouled after the Knicks had taken the lead and made two free throws to put San Antonio back ahead with 30 seconds left, the Knicks had one more rally in them.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
End also advised younger workers to plan ahead for their retirement, while viewing Social Security as more of a social safety net.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Adverb
-
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin previously said multiple bills related to carriage horses were expected to move through the legislative process.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Those who have been vaccinated or previously had measles are likely protected against the disease.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adverb
-
Fans started arriving early in the afternoon local time, ready to catch the Red, White and Blue in a World Cup match on home soil.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
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While the Qatari national team practiced at nearby PayPal Park Friday morning, Switzerland trained in San Diego early in the day before hopping on a plane and making the short flight to San Jose.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Adverb
-
Despite the massive security presence and perimeter, thousands of fans have come out to celebrate in the area near the Garden before, during and after the games.—
Ben Brachfeld,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
-
That designation, which had never been sought before, would allow the use of historic tax credits to help fund its conversion to housing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminarily. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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