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
They were discovered during preparatory work for road construction.
—
CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
In climate lingo, that means taking preparatory measures and climate-proofing infrastructure.
—Justin Worland, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Pacific Ridge School, an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school in Carlsbad, started its 19th academic year with the Annual Trustee Dinner.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Those preparatory projects included the installation of new capping roofs to weatherproof the buildings for a long period of care and maintenance, as well as the rerouting of electrical supplies and de-planting of boiler equipment.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
In climate lingo, that means taking preparatory measures and climate-proofing infrastructure.
—Justin Worland, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Pacific Ridge School, an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school in Carlsbad, started its 19th academic year with the Annual Trustee Dinner.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Those preparatory projects included the installation of new capping roofs to weatherproof the buildings for a long period of care and maintenance, as well as the rerouting of electrical supplies and de-planting of boiler equipment.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
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Provincial transport department official Siboniso Duma said in a statement that 11 people, including a schoolchild, died at the scene, although that was according to preliminary information.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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The coroner also said the preliminary cause of death included intrauterine fetal demise caused by her injuries.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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During an introductory press conference with the Steelers that got emotional at times, McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, beamed with pride about his third head coaching opportunity.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Kevin Stefanski walked into his introductory news conference Tuesday smiling, joking about the weather, and sounding exactly like a coach ready to get to work.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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