as in preliminary
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
a preparatory investigation to see if there is enough evidence to warrant bringing charges
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Recent Examples of preparatory
Arsenal have their own preparatory plans in Singapore and Hong Kong, while Liverpool and Barcelona are both travelling to Japan, among other countries.
—
Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Each participant had, before receiving the psilocybin dose, undergone two preparatory therapy sessions.
—New Atlas, 21 June 2025
Although Ukraine’s accession to the alliance has been controversial, there is precedent for members being brought in without lengthy delay or an elaborate preparatory process.
—Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
Four preparatory sketches on view are among fewer than a dozen surviving examples and illustrate the continuity and interconnectedness of his projects over several decades.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Each participant had, before receiving the psilocybin dose, undergone two preparatory therapy sessions.
—New Atlas, 21 June 2025
Although Ukraine’s accession to the alliance has been controversial, there is precedent for members being brought in without lengthy delay or an elaborate preparatory process.
—Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
Four preparatory sketches on view are among fewer than a dozen surviving examples and illustrate the continuity and interconnectedness of his projects over several decades.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
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While the new research is preliminary, the researchers believe this is a promising lead for further work to map its molecular mechanisms in order to develop the compound into therapeutics for trial.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Aug. 2025
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That’s skipping over a June incident when a Starship rocket exploded while being loaded with methane and liquid oxygen propellant ahead of its launch — due, Musk later said, citing preliminary data, to problems in the payload bay.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Over its introductory weekend in theaters, the third Man of Steel reboot released this millennium sold $125 million in tickets in North America.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
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In its history, over 2.5 million young people have taken a free introductory flight through Young Eagles.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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