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
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Recent Examples of provisional
The Watkins Glen win moved him up three positions into the 16th and last provisional spot in the NASCAR Chase.
—
ABC News, 11 May 2026
Your provisional ballot will be counted once a county elections official verifies your voter registration.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
At the end of that month, the WGA officially ratified its provisional deal, with a 90% approval rate but significant voter downturn.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 May 2026
Voters who conditionally register can cast provisional ballots in the two weeks leading up to Election Day at early voting sites.
—Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provisional
ABC News, 11 May 2026
Your provisional ballot will be counted once a county elections official verifies your voter registration.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
At the end of that month, the WGA officially ratified its provisional deal, with a 90% approval rate but significant voter downturn.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 May 2026
Voters who conditionally register can cast provisional ballots in the two weeks leading up to Election Day at early voting sites.
—Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provisional
Adjective
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After the game, Chelsea’s interim manager Callum McFarlane analysed the goal well.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Club icon Martin O’Neill was twice appointed as interim manager and, at the age of 74, this was his fourth league title with the team - coming 22 years after his previous one.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Grgich immigrated to the US in 1958 — after first escaping to West Germany on a temporary visa — as these innovations spread.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
15 May 2026
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To be sure, after unveiling its first Milan flagship in the elegant residential area of Via Mameli in 2024 and setting up a series of itinerant temporary stores across Italy, last year Collanine Colorate stepped abroad to test international markets via pop-ups in Madrid, Lisbon and Paris.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provisional. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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