as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
preparative warning that the injection was going to cause a modest amount of pain
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Recent Examples of preparative
Just weeks after announcing a plan (or at least the preparative study of a plan) to reconstruct Park Avenue in its premodern, superior form, the city has just revealed a major makeover for Fifth.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2024
One such approach involves utilizing advanced chromatography techniques like flash chromatography or preparative HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography).
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2023
Using photography as a preparative tool as well as an art form later in life reveals Degas to have been a more progressive artist that was willing to experiment.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2019
Gordon explains that the body has quite a bit of pre-labor preparative work to do.
—Tanya Ward Goodman, Orange County Register, 5 June 2017
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2024
One such approach involves utilizing advanced chromatography techniques like flash chromatography or preparative HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography).
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2023
Using photography as a preparative tool as well as an art form later in life reveals Degas to have been a more progressive artist that was willing to experiment.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2019
Gordon explains that the body has quite a bit of pre-labor preparative work to do.
—Tanya Ward Goodman, Orange County Register, 5 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparative
Adjective
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These preparatory movements then become habits that are carried out in a weaker form even when the action is suppressed.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Ursuline Academy advertises itself as an all-girls Catholic college preparatory high school founded in 1896.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In its preliminary report, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed the airport had experienced over 15,000 near misses between October 2021 and December 2024 involving helicopters and commercial airplanes.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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However, preliminary plans included in meeting packet include three buildings, a power station, several stormwater retention ponds and transmission line corridors.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Students who take these introductory courses may go on to join the workforce or continue in their education to a bachelor’s or advanced degree.—
Gwendolyn Rak,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Sep. 2025
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Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off the regular course price of $127 (plus tax).—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparative. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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