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
-
Ballard noted most of the evidence that will be discussed in April is already public, so most of the hearing should be open.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
His administration has already promised to release the nation’s oil reserves to relieve pressure and has eased sanctions on Russian oil, to the consternation of European leaders.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
By later June your path ahead should become clearer.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
But Duke ran off 11 unanswered points to finally push ahead for good.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
It had been renamed and expanded in size roughly a year ago from a previously existing treatment facility as part of the Taliban government's efforts to stamp out a significant drug addiction problem in the country.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In this particular case, the group in question has previously produced three results each claiming the discovery of a fifth force and hints of a novel particle, but none of them panned out.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Trent Perry finishes with 22 points for UCLA, which avenged a loss to the Spartans earlier this season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
For example, all three versions state that the visitors arrived early and sat outside in the car, rehearsing.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Just a day before, the speaker of the Iranian parliament said such a strike would provoke a new level of retaliation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The soldiers would have stayed as sentries before and after the performance, symbolically guarding the legacy of Taiwan’s founder.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminarily. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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