INAUGURAL Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

inaugural 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-rəl

Definition of inaugural

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Parkes and Collantes did, in fact, want to make the director’s cut of The Devils the inaugural release for Clockwork. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026 Tied to its inaugural Animation Power List, The Hollywood Reporter hosted its first Most Powerful People in Animation breakfast on Friday, in a toast to both the legends and the newcomers. — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 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

Adjective

Ukraine received no warning from its partners ahead of the first wave of attacks, and information about a second wave arrived too late for air raid sirens to be activated in time, air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.

— SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
The model became the first real hit in the emerging athletic shoe industry.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of first

Noun

After all, Jonathan, who was probably alive for President Andrew Jackson's second inauguration in 1833, is still thriving.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
On inauguration day, his administration rescinded guidelines that largely prevented immigration agents from making arrests at sensitive locations — including domestic violence shelters and hospitals.

— Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of inauguration

Adjective

Court records show that the investigation into the initial allegations was inconclusive.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
The progress came roughly a year after the program received funding for its initial engineering, manufacturing and development phase.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of initial

Adjective

The original owners were vaudevillians who had a mind-reading act and were passionately into the occult.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The new record is the closest that the two have come to infusing their distinctive DJing style into their original productions.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of original

Adjective

After a dramatic, fiery takeoff, Airbus's U740-Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft completed its maiden flight on October 12, 2026, in the skies over Northern Europe as part of a program to provide Europe with its own autonomous Loyal Wingman.

— David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Brennan's maiden win came at the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship in November against an admittedly weaker field.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of maiden

Adjective

Astaire is the world's foremost exponent of that particular variety of heart throb!

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
The former is one of the world's foremost entertainment capitals, and the latter has a starving fan base and state-of-the-art venue in Climate Pledge Arena.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of foremost

Browse Nearby Words

inaudibly

inaugural

inaugurals

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Style

“Inaugural.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugural. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inaugural

adjective

noun

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