inaugural 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-rəl How to pronounce inaugural (audio)
Definition of inauguralnext
as in first
coming before all others in time or order the inaugural event in the city's week long festival honoring the sailing ships

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

inaugural

2 of 2

noun

as in inauguration
the process or an instance of being formally placed in an office or organization attended the inaugurals of the city's last three mayors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inaugural
Adjective
The inaugural Ig Nobel Prize ceremony honored three fictitious achievers; all recipients in subsequent years (barring a 1994 award based on inaccurate reporting) have been real people. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 Coupang donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund in 2024, putting it on par with Google, Meta and Nvidia. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
In Andrew Jackson's first inaugural, Andrew Jackson calls himself an instrument of the federal Constitution. — NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026 If fundraising is Global’s plan with its pair of inaugurals, leaving its A380 parked at JFK for four days between flights is an odd choice. — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for inaugural
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaugural
  1. first
  2. inauguration
  3. initial
  4. original
  5. maiden
  6. foremost
Adjective
  • Player of the Week Senior outside hitter Quinn Grevengoed tallies 92 kills and 15 aces in seven matches and then is named MVP for host Chicago Christian as Knights take tournament title for first time since 2014.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • After filling our brushes with mouthwash from docking station reservoirs, Sarah and I brushed our teeth side-by-side (a first for both of us professionally).
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of first
Noun
  • Han was also charged with giving lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong, a Yoon loyalist, 100 million won ($73,000) months before Yoon’s inauguration in May 2022.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Presidency The political struggle continued through Arévalo’s inauguration.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of inauguration
Adjective
  • The film is downright Tarkovskian for its initial hour, unspooling through eerie abstractions that heighten its lingering domestic turmoil.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Entertainment Weekly reached out to Grande’s reps for comment at the time of the initial lyric changes.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • With its satin-matte technology and expansive shade range, the original Pro Filt’r Soft Matte foundation revolutionized how other brands approached shades, undertones, and pigments when building their own foundation libraries.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The client, who lives in Maryland, was scheduled to appear in Falls Church instead of at her original court location in Hyattsville.
    — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of original
Adjective
  • In his place, Olid is taking on her first WSL role after guiding Hearts to their maiden Scottish league title.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Try maiden grass for something tall and upright that can also serve well as a privacy barrier.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of maiden
Adjective
  • On the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, AI’s foremost critic is flouting the dress code.
    — Jack Holmes, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Move to Manchester The TV Festival’s impending move to Manchester was one of the foremost topics of conversation at this year’s edition.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of foremost

Browse Nearby Words

inaudibly
inaugural
inaugurals
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Cite this Entry

“Inaugural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugural. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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