preliminarily

adverb

Definition of preliminarilynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 preliminarily The 78-year-old was preliminarily granted parole on Tuesday, her 18th suitability hearing, according to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 The death was initially classified as suspicious and was preliminarily investigated by the homicide unit. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2026 Lawyers and historic preservation advocates are particularly concerned about how quickly the arch has been reviewed and preliminarily approved, even before Burgum's announcement. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 The court preliminarily approved the class action settlement in April. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Spinnova is preliminarily targeting at least $15 million, or roughly 13 million euros, in gross proceeds. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 County officials also preliminarily estimate around $150,000 has gone toward county staff time on the effort. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2026 However, a July 30 report from The New York Times says investigators preliminarily believe Iranian hackers were probably responsible. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Heading into the weekend, the trend is preliminarily forecasted to continue. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminarily
  1. already
  2. ahead
  3. previously
  4. early
  5. before
Adverb
  • Husso stopped 23 shots for Anaheim, which is without injured defensemen Pavel Mintyukov and Ian Moore on its already shallow blue line.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • However, their power requirements create additional challenges for facilities already managing substantial electricity consumption.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of already
Adverb
  • The Democratic nominee in Alaska, Mary PeItola, is ahead by two percentage points, while the race in Iowa is effectively tied, according to the survey’s respondents.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Daniel Gazdag scored in the 53rd minute for New England, which failed to extend its four-match winning streak and lost for the first time this season after being ahead or tied in the 75th minute.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of ahead
Adverb
  • Police previously said investigators found no evidence of an actual plan to carry out violence at the school.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The council’s executive director, Blair Stanford, confirmed the previously unreported contribution and said CMS requested the financial support.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of previously
Adverb
  • Six of the injured are under 18 years old and the youngest is 11 years old, Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police Department said at a press conference early Sunday morning.
    — Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Brandon Miller, he of the $209 million contract extension earlier this week, started very cold and never stopped.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of early
Adverb
  • Never before have Latinos occupied the top spots in both chambers of the Legislature and the governor’s mansion simultaneously, Rivas told the cheering crowd.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • At its peak, the track is crunchier and more punishing than anything she’s put out before.
    — James Gui, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of before

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Cite this Entry

“Preliminarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminarily. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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