Definition of preparatorynext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preparatory Baniewicz was hired by Bishop Miege in 2023 after serving nearly 14 years as president of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, a college preparatory boarding school in Atchison. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026 Prince Gabriel, 22, completed a one-year preparatory course at the National Mathematics & Science College in England before graduating from the Royal Military Academy of Belgium. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026 The Western Cape High Court judgment on Friday does not stop the impeachment committee from doing other preparatory work for the pending proceedings. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Your ambitions can benefit from preparatory maneuvering today. — Usa Today, USA Today, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
  • The Virginia Tech swimmer finished 17th in the preliminary round of the 500-yard freestyle, one place outside the 16-swimmer finals field.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The project has not yet received final approval from the National Capital Area Planning Commission, which greenlighted the site and preliminary plans at its July meeting.
    — Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • New data presented at the UC Board of Regents meeting Wednesday shows that more first-year students are failing introductory math courses now than six years ago when the university moved to a test-blind admissions process.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Together, the introductory courses make up about 5% of the classes freshmen take, ranging from 2% at UC Irvine to 12% at UC Merced.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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