as in preliminary
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows a medical assistant had done all of the prelim work before the physician even walked into the examining room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelim
Adjective
  • The proposals come a year after University of North Carolina trustees approved an audit of the athletics department after a preliminary budget projected about $100 million of debt in the years ahead.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 June 2025
  • The project is in the first phase of engineering, which includes a preliminary design alignment.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • In two rooms upstairs, there were hundreds of works: from art-school sketches and preparatory crayon drawings to large-scale, fully realized paintings that had taken Orlik months to complete.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 17 June 2025
  • That makes the Gold Cup, a three-week tournament with group play and a single-elimination knockout stage, an important preparatory test for the three hosts even if the field is less than stellar.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • On his introductory media call with the Ducks, Trouba said Drury forced him to choose between accepting a trade to a team on his no-trade list and going on waivers — the same way the GM got out of Goodrow’s contract nearly six months earlier.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • That includes the introductory casino, three levels of covered parking, a back-of-house level and a top level with the main casino floor and restaurants.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Prelim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelim. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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