Synonyms of provisional

provisional

adjective

prə-ˈvizh-nəl 

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

• interim
• temporary
• transitional
• short-term
• provisionary
• provisory
• alternate
• impermanent
• tentative
• acting
• conditional
• ad interim
• makeshift
• expedient
• proxy
• intermediate
• substitute
• transitory
• limited
• ephemeral
• intermediary
• qualified
• fleeting
• improvised
• terminate
• short-range
• contingent
• terminable
• short-lived
• fugitive
• replaceable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• final
• long-term
• fixed
• unconditional
• settled
• unlimited
• unqualified
• set
• extended
• lasting
• standing
• eternal
• long-range
• perpetual
• everlasting
• immortal
• endless
• enduring
• timeless
• unending
• undying
• deathless
• dateless

2

as in temporary

serving in a position for the time being

he was appointed provisional executor of the industrialist's vast estate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interim
• temporary
• acting
• provisionary
• provisory
• ad interim
• makeshift
• alternate
• proxy
• backup
• stopgap
• substitute
• make-do
• jackleg

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• long-term

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of provisional

Katubadi cast a provisional ballot in Tarrant County during the November 2024 general election after falsely claiming citizenship on an affidavit of provisional voter, prosecutors said. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026

Even after that decree was reached, Common Cause monitors reported in 2024 missing or inadequate Spanish-language signs in the city about voter ID requirements and provisional ballots, as required by federal law, The Journal reported at the time. — Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal, 11 Sep. 2026

The most recent state-level data on maternal mortality is still from 2022, with annual totals based on provisional data available through 2024. — Glenn Gamboa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Beijing says the measure is provisional as an investigation continues. — Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026