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
But those negotiations have not begun — there have only been preparatory talks — and the first phase has been jolted by one dispute after another.
—
Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
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
In his preparatory YouTube video, Goodge claimed it would be set to send a GPS ping every two minutes, rather than the default 10 minutes.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
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
In his preparatory YouTube video, Goodge claimed it would be set to send a GPS ping every two minutes, rather than the default 10 minutes.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
-
The preliminary assessment, released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, comes 30 days after the fatal crash, following guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency that recommends practices for the industry.—
Tribune News Service,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
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The court will hold another hearing soon to decide if a longer preliminary injunction on the LAPD should be imposed.—
Alexandra Koch , Bill Mears,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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In the introductory remarks, patrons were urged to keep as quiet as possible in order to experience the possibilities of hearing overlapping ensembles.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
29 June 2025
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Quickly becoming a fan favorite for the Angels faithful, Moore capped his introductory homestand with another clutch at-bat — in a week that started with a bang thanks to his two home run spectacle Tuesday against the Red Sox.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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