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
When interview invitations arrive, candidates have already done the reflective and preparatory work that helps make those conversations productive instead of reactive.
—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
The artist painted the mural singlehandedly, by hand, says the complaint, over many weeks, without preparatory sketches.
—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
2 June 2026
It will also be used as a test-bed for long-term habitation and preparatory work for permanent bases.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
Najib was the only one of the defendants who was arrested and present in person in court Sunday for a preparatory session in the trial, which will continue next month.
—
Ghaith Alsayed,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
The artist painted the mural singlehandedly, by hand, says the complaint, over many weeks, without preparatory sketches.
—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
2 June 2026
It will also be used as a test-bed for long-term habitation and preparatory work for permanent bases.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
Najib was the only one of the defendants who was arrested and present in person in court Sunday for a preparatory session in the trial, which will continue next month.
—
Ghaith Alsayed,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
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Prominent civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Van Turner, who are representing the family of Kohen Wiley, released preliminary findings from the independent autopsy during a news conference on July 1.
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The sheriff's office says a preliminary investigation found that workers were installing underground tanks.
Adjective
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Consider starting each rule section with a positive introductory statement.
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The introductory course for PPEL required students to read, on average, just twenty-seven pages a week.
Cite this Entry
“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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