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
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
The Czech power company ČEZ signed a deal on Friday with Rolls-Royce SMR on preparatory work for the British company to build the first small modular nuclear reactor in the Czech Republic.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Because the images rotate at a screen-saver pace, my advice would be to focus on the preparatory drawings and cartoons, which are like sparks thrown off some great, beautiful machine.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
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
The Czech power company ČEZ signed a deal on Friday with Rolls-Royce SMR on preparatory work for the British company to build the first small modular nuclear reactor in the Czech Republic.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Because the images rotate at a screen-saver pace, my advice would be to focus on the preparatory drawings and cartoons, which are like sparks thrown off some great, beautiful machine.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
-
Becchina said preliminary information indicated the man and another person had been arguing in an apartment.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
-
Netanyahu has remained quiet publicly about the preliminary deal.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
For someone testing the category, the cheapest move is usually a promotional bundle or a single introductory drip.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
Less than $60 will get you a perfectly good introductory toaster oven, while spending up to $100 will add many of the bonus features that could be important to you.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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