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
Shapiro said that preliminarily it is suspected to have been from a gas leak.
—
Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
After Mangione was arrested and his backpack was preliminarily searched at McDonald’s by Officer Wasser and Officer Stephen Fox, his belongings were transported to the Altoona police precinct.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2025
The mayor said a person preliminarily thought to be involved was detained but was later determined to have no involvement.
—Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
The pan-European Stoxx 600 preliminarily closed in the green, with most sectors and major regional bourses mixed.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2025
The man has been preliminarily charged with murder.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 1 Dec. 2025
Now, investigators have preliminarily ruled that the teen died as a result of asphyxiation from a bar hold — or an arm held across the neck, ABC reports.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
The city will also preliminarily file actions to collect thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes and liens by the property owners as officials investigate to determine if there are grounds for action against the investors under the Fair Housing Act.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
The Enderlin tornado was preliminarily classified as an EF-3 storm, but was recently categorized even higher, as an EF-5.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
After Mangione was arrested and his backpack was preliminarily searched at McDonald’s by Officer Wasser and Officer Stephen Fox, his belongings were transported to the Altoona police precinct.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2025
The mayor said a person preliminarily thought to be involved was detained but was later determined to have no involvement.
—Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
The pan-European Stoxx 600 preliminarily closed in the green, with most sectors and major regional bourses mixed.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2025
The man has been preliminarily charged with murder.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 1 Dec. 2025
Now, investigators have preliminarily ruled that the teen died as a result of asphyxiation from a bar hold — or an arm held across the neck, ABC reports.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
The city will also preliminarily file actions to collect thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes and liens by the property owners as officials investigate to determine if there are grounds for action against the investors under the Fair Housing Act.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
The Enderlin tornado was preliminarily classified as an EF-3 storm, but was recently categorized even higher, as an EF-5.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminarily
Adverb
-
By the time police arrived, the four suspects — black females between the ages of 18 and 23 — had already gone, but they were each caught on store surveillance cameras.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Jessica Ranucci, a lawyer in the New York Attorney General’s office, said in the Friday hearing, which was conducted by telephone, that at least four of the states had already had money delayed after requesting it.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Twin Cities,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Weekend in the 50s ahead Over Oklahoma City, the weather is predicted to hit 55 degrees at its highest on Saturday, and has the makings of a windy day overall with average winds at 10 mph and gusts up to 23 mph.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Good briefly put the vehicle in reverse, then shifted into drive and hit the gas, with the wheels seemingly turned to the right instead of directly ahead toward Ross.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Kinghorn previously served as foreperson of the El Dorado County grand jury.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Managers also wear poppies on the touchline, including Thomas Tuchel, the German who is currently head coach of the England men’s national team having previously managed Chelsea in 2021 and 2022.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Anger and apology Bosch, who was crowned Miss Universe Mexico earlier this year, denounced Nawat for insulting her.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Schlegel, a travel adviser from Arlington, Virginia, has told clients to not panic, to monitor their flights and to arrive at the airport early.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Christopher Patterson's mother held back tears as his family and friends gathered on Friday outside the home where the 23-year-old lost his life two days before.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
She’ll get treated with the same medicines that worked for her before, and we’ll be done.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminarily. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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