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initialed or initialled; initialing or initialling
i-ˈni-sh(ə-)liŋ 
2
: to authenticate or give preliminary approval to by affixing the initials of an authorizing representative
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Adjective
you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question
Noun
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's middle initial stood for “Delano.”
She put her initials on each page of the contract.
The initials F.D.R. stood for “Franklin Delano Roosevelt.”
Verb
She initialed each page of the contract.
Recent Examples on the Web
Suzanne Baker, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2023
Like most Kenya Barris productions, You People encourages Internet discourse, which has followed the film since its initial release.
—Andrea Cuttler, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Feb. 2023
The exchange is a reference to the Left Behind DLC (downloadable content) from The Last of Us that arrived after the game's initial release.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2023
According to an initial news release from the Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shooting just before 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2023
Van Turner, the president of the Memphis NAACP said of the initial news release.
—Justine Mcdaniel, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Jan. 2023
The company took down the JR-15’s website, deleted its initial news release and went into virtual hibernation.
—Andrea Salcedo, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023
In the year since All of Us Are Dead’s initial release, the theme of a society failing its young people has only become more resonant — in Korea, in the U.S. and around the world.
—Kayti Burt, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2023
The fresh approach to releasing the racket shows a stark difference from the brand's most recent releases, updates to key franchises the Blade, Pro Staff and Ultra and the initial 2019 release of the Clash.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
Dallas News, 30 Jan. 2023
For those with a double surname, the first initial of each last name with a bar or a bullet between them to signify hyphenation is a popular choice.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2022
This plush, fleece bathrobe comes with personalization, such as your first initial, your first name or a monogram.
—Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 2 Nov. 2022
At Harlem Hops craft beer bar in New York, server and beer influencer Sonia B., who spoke on the condition that only her last initial be used, is passionate about the experience of bringing this new style of beer into drinkers’ lives.
—Ruvani De Silva, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2022
Add her initial at no extra cost for a personal touch.
—Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 19 Oct. 2022
Charcuterie board connoisseurs will flip for this hardwood serving board, which includes a ceramic bowl and four cheese tools, as well as a laser engraving of your recipient's initial.
—Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 16 Dec. 2022
Its tiled design will add some flair to any kitchen, plus it can be personalized with their first initial.
—Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 27 Oct. 2022
There are four of these witnesses in this case, identified by their first name and initial.
—Eric Levenson, CNN, 27 Oct. 2022
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2022
According to Shah, she was told to initial next to each relevant statement as Bastos read them aloud.
—Gabrielle Chung, PEOPLE.com, 16 June 2021
Leaders of the three countries met in 1992 in San Antonio, Texas, to initial the agreement.
—David Luhnow, WSJ, 4 June 2021
Value of those tools was initially set at around $500 total and police noted that they had been initialed by the owner.
—Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 15 Apr. 2020
The agreement was initialed and signed by Tully in March, but was not filed until April 7, according to online court records.
—Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2020
Taylor was one of the first witnesses called Wednesday during the impeachment inquiry’s initial open hearing.
—USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2019
About two weeks later, your boxes of ammo show up, each one initialed buy the loader who made them.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2020
Rickmon Tuesday ruled that eight ballots were not properly initialed by election judges before giving them to voters.
—Alicia Fabbre, chicagotribune.com, 5 Nov. 2019
See More
Adjective
The initial investigation by the Naperville Traffic Unit shows that Namen was attempting to cross Brom Drive at Martin Avenue when he was hit by a Chevrolet SUV driven by a 48-year-old Romeoville man, according to authorities.
—Suzanne Baker, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2023
Like most Kenya Barris productions, You People encourages Internet discourse, which has followed the film since its initial release.
—Andrea Cuttler, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Feb. 2023
The exchange is a reference to the Left Behind DLC (downloadable content) from The Last of Us that arrived after the game's initial release.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2023
According to an initial news release from the Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shooting just before 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2023
Van Turner, the president of the Memphis NAACP said of the initial news release.
—Justine Mcdaniel, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Jan. 2023
The company took down the JR-15’s website, deleted its initial news release and went into virtual hibernation.
—Andrea Salcedo, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023
In the year since All of Us Are Dead’s initial release, the theme of a society failing its young people has only become more resonant — in Korea, in the U.S. and around the world.
—Kayti Burt, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2023
The fresh approach to releasing the racket shows a stark difference from the brand's most recent releases, updates to key franchises the Blade, Pro Staff and Ultra and the initial 2019 release of the Clash.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
Noun
On top of the initial proposed $130 billion state budget, legislators have an additional $50 billion of taxpayer money to play with — a historic amount of unencumbered money available for state spending that does not include the rainy day fund.
—Dallas News, 30 Jan. 2023
For those with a double surname, the first initial of each last name with a bar or a bullet between them to signify hyphenation is a popular choice.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2022
This plush, fleece bathrobe comes with personalization, such as your first initial, your first name or a monogram.
—Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 2 Nov. 2022
At Harlem Hops craft beer bar in New York, server and beer influencer Sonia B., who spoke on the condition that only her last initial be used, is passionate about the experience of bringing this new style of beer into drinkers’ lives.
—Ruvani De Silva, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2022
Add her initial at no extra cost for a personal touch.
—Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 19 Oct. 2022
Charcuterie board connoisseurs will flip for this hardwood serving board, which includes a ceramic bowl and four cheese tools, as well as a laser engraving of your recipient's initial.
—Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 16 Dec. 2022
Its tiled design will add some flair to any kitchen, plus it can be personalized with their first initial.
—Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 27 Oct. 2022
There are four of these witnesses in this case, identified by their first name and initial.
—Eric Levenson, CNN, 27 Oct. 2022
Verb
Simply use a zester to initial a lime wedge for each guest's drink.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2022
According to Shah, she was told to initial next to each relevant statement as Bastos read them aloud.
—Gabrielle Chung, PEOPLE.com, 16 June 2021
Leaders of the three countries met in 1992 in San Antonio, Texas, to initial the agreement.
—David Luhnow, WSJ, 4 June 2021
Value of those tools was initially set at around $500 total and police noted that they had been initialed by the owner.
—Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 15 Apr. 2020
The agreement was initialed and signed by Tully in March, but was not filed until April 7, according to online court records.
—Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2020
Taylor was one of the first witnesses called Wednesday during the impeachment inquiry’s initial open hearing.
—USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2019
About two weeks later, your boxes of ammo show up, each one initialed buy the loader who made them.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2020
Rickmon Tuesday ruled that eight ballots were not properly initialed by election judges before giving them to voters.
—Alicia Fabbre, chicagotribune.com, 5 Nov. 2019
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'initial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French iniciel, from Latin initialis, from initium beginning, from inire to go into, from in- + ire to go — more at issue entry 1
Phrases Containing initial
Dictionary Entries Near initial
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initial. Accessed 8 Feb. 2023.
Kids Definition
initial
3 of 3 verb
initialed or initialled; initialing or initialling
-ˈish-(ə-)liŋ
More from Merriam-Webster on initial
Nglish: Translation of initial for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of initial for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about initial
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