as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
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Recent Examples of preliminary
John Liu, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
He was advised of his rights and ordered held without bail pending a custody hearing and preliminary examination set for May 12 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremy Peterson, court records showed.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
And just by being around his Team Canada teammates, Crosby is doing what Iginla and others did for him back in 2010, when Canada lost to the U.S. in the preliminaries and beat it in the gold medal game.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
Tong said her clients would normally have placed preliminary orders during this time of the year.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
He was advised of his rights and ordered held without bail pending a custody hearing and preliminary examination set for May 12 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremy Peterson, court records showed.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
During the preliminaries on Feb. 28, the Red Devils broke the national record in the 200 medley relay, as Bey teamed with sophomore Luke Vatev, senior Henry Guo and junior Matthew Vatev to time 1 minute, 26.75 seconds.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
And just by being around his Team Canada teammates, Crosby is doing what Iginla and others did for him back in 2010, when Canada lost to the U.S. in the preliminaries and beat it in the gold medal game.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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The preparatory challenges refer to legacy infrastructure and a lack of appropriate skills to jumpstart the AI adoption.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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This month, Rosatom began the preparatory site work to construct a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, which will be the first nuclear reactor in Central Asia and Russia’s first SMR export.—
Juzel Lloyd,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The city’s live music series, presented by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, is a prelude to summer, bringing Sacramento natives and visitors together to celebrate and support the local talent produced in Sacramento.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacbee.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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This investigation is a likely prelude to Trump’s tariffs to come.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Hudson was in attendance at his introductory press conference.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2025
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Depending on the institution, AP scores may allow students to test out of introductory courses, fulfill general education requirements, or even graduate early—potentially saving them thousands of dollars in tuition.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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