1
as in interim
intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time
will form a provisional government until a new leader can be elected
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temporary
serving in a position for the time being
he was appointed provisional executor of the industrialist's vast estate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provisional
Yet over a decade later, the constitution remains provisional and there is no clear agreement on how the central government in Mogadishu shares power with Somalia’s seven member states—some of which operate fairly autonomously.
—
Omar S Mahmood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Chepngetich tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, in a sample collected on March 14 and later accepted a provisional suspension.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The driver, who was 16 when the crash happened on April 18, is charged with a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter and infractions of driving at an unsafe speed and violating terms of a provisional driver’s license.
—Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
What is new is seeing most of the provisional field for America’s richest race join the trend.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Omar S Mahmood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Chepngetich tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, in a sample collected on March 14 and later accepted a provisional suspension.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The driver, who was 16 when the crash happened on April 18, is charged with a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter and infractions of driving at an unsafe speed and violating terms of a provisional driver’s license.
—Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
What is new is seeing most of the provisional field for America’s richest race join the trend.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provisional
Adjective
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In October 2024, Chinese warships visited Chittagong—the first foreign naval vessels to do so after the establishment of the interim Bangladeshi government—signaling a major geopolitical shift.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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Al-Sharaa led the rebel forces that toppled former Syrian President Bashar Assad last December and was named the country's interim leader in January.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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What To Know The Senate passed a temporary funding bill to end the United States' longest-ever government shutdown.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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But no need to fret; the cool-down is temporary, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provisional. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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