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
There is no timeline for the AI’s ascension to the role, although Okumura said a preparatory committee is in the works.
—
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
After both teams participated in preparatory tournaments last weekend, the curtain is about to rise -- and fans can hardly wait.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The Champions Trophy exit was equally passive after a dreadful showing in the preparatory bilateral series against India.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Midday Friday, the military changed course, marking the latest escalation after weeks of preparatory strikes in some of the city’s neighborhoods and calling up tens of thousands of reservists.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
After both teams participated in preparatory tournaments last weekend, the curtain is about to rise -- and fans can hardly wait.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The Champions Trophy exit was equally passive after a dreadful showing in the preparatory bilateral series against India.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Midday Friday, the military changed course, marking the latest escalation after weeks of preparatory strikes in some of the city’s neighborhoods and calling up tens of thousands of reservists.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
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The grand jury indictment supersedes the criminal complaint and allows the criminal case to skip the preliminary hearing phase and move toward a trial.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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In Utah, preliminary hearings can be delayed for months in cases involving serious felonies, sometimes up to a year, according to Lazaro.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through July 15, 2025.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Louie, a 31-year-old former TV reporter, and Velovic, a 25-year-old who works in tech sales, both had strong introductory confessionals as the boats were coming to the marooning.—
Christopher Kuhagen,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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