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
Pade paints directly onto the canvas without a preparatory drawing, often smudging areas of the canvas with a cloth at the end of a day in her Paris studio.
—
Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
The Club World Cup then starts on June 14, while some teams are likely to organise preparatory exhibition games ahead of the competition.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Leonardo’s Study of a Woman’s Hands, housed at the Royal Collection Trust in England, is widely theorized to be a preparatory sketch for Ginevra’s likeness.
—E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
In accordance with the Lviv Statement adopted on the day, the group welcomed the finalization of the preparatory work required to establish a Special Tribunal within the Council of Europe.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
The Club World Cup then starts on June 14, while some teams are likely to organise preparatory exhibition games ahead of the competition.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Leonardo’s Study of a Woman’s Hands, housed at the Royal Collection Trust in England, is widely theorized to be a preparatory sketch for Ginevra’s likeness.
—E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
In accordance with the Lviv Statement adopted on the day, the group welcomed the finalization of the preparatory work required to establish a Special Tribunal within the Council of Europe.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
-
While beneficial for many taxpayers, CNBC reports that the Senate Finance Committee has provided preliminary versions of some items in their version of the bill, including one that would keep the SALT deduction at $10,000.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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The games, seen as akin to a Jewish Olympics, had been set to open July 8, with preliminary activities beginning earlier in July.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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On his introductory media call with the Ducks, Trouba said Drury forced him to choose between accepting a trade to a team on his no-trade list and going on waivers — the same way the GM got out of Goodrow’s contract nearly six months earlier.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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That includes the introductory casino, three levels of covered parking, a back-of-house level and a top level with the main casino floor and restaurants.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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