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
In fact, two data sets preliminarily show that the Lower 48 states saw its 2nd-warmest winter on record.
—
Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
The weekend is preliminarily forecasted to see temperatures warm even further to highs in the mid-50s and may see some chances of rain continue, NWS states.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
At this point, TCEQ has determined, at least preliminarily, that Coontz and Frederick’s application meets state and federal requirements.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2026
The Kendall County Coroner's Office preliminarily identified the two as James Fitzmaurice, 64, and Virgie Fitzmaurice, 62.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Sheriff’s officials said the inmate was preliminarily believed to have died from medical complications and that no foul play was suspected at this time.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Further, Bryant said officers had recovered weapons from his home, including one whose ballistics were preliminarily linked to the homicides.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
She was pronounced dead at the scene, but police preliminarily classified it as a death investigation.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Shapiro said that preliminarily it is suspected to have been from a gas leak.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
The weekend is preliminarily forecasted to see temperatures warm even further to highs in the mid-50s and may see some chances of rain continue, NWS states.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
At this point, TCEQ has determined, at least preliminarily, that Coontz and Frederick’s application meets state and federal requirements.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2026
The Kendall County Coroner's Office preliminarily identified the two as James Fitzmaurice, 64, and Virgie Fitzmaurice, 62.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Sheriff’s officials said the inmate was preliminarily believed to have died from medical complications and that no foul play was suspected at this time.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Further, Bryant said officers had recovered weapons from his home, including one whose ballistics were preliminarily linked to the homicides.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
She was pronounced dead at the scene, but police preliminarily classified it as a death investigation.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Shapiro said that preliminarily it is suspected to have been from a gas leak.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminarily
Adverb
-
Current hazard assessments show tidal flooding in some California coastal cities has already increased by more than 550% since 2000.—
Marcos Magaña,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
When removing the 3% annual increase cities and counties were already allowed, the cap amounted to a 5% budget increase from growth.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Go ahead and speak up in a group setting, propose plans that excite you, or introduce yourself to someone fascinating.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Calamia, however, says there are still miles ahead until the sport is truly inclusive for trans and nonbinary runners.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Push for self-reliance Despite the growth in sales volumes across several automakers, China’s EV market is still grappling with slowing demand, at least partially due to the imposition of a 5% purchase tax on new energy vehicles, after previously being exempted from the full 10% tax.—
Matthew Chin,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The minister has previously accused Ukraine of forcibly conscripting members of a roughly 75,000-strong community of ethnic Hungarians residing in the western Ukrainian region of Zakarpattia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
When the Big 12 Conference invited reporters to the T-Mobile Center earlier this week, the league showed off a bunch of fun looks for its new LED video floor.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Planting outside too early can slow the plants down.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Kiwis moving abroad is not uncommon, and more Kiwis generally are choosing to leave than before; in the year ending November 2025, almost 122,000 people emigrated, a 4% jump from the previous year and higher than a previous spike in 2012.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, overall crime in Beverly Hills was down 17% at that point in 2020 compared with the year before, according to the emails.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminarily. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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