PRELIMINARY Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

preliminary 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē

Definition of preliminary

as in preparatory

coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preliminary

2 of 2

noun

as in prelude

a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions

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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 preliminary

Adjective

But Coker said school board members should be able to explore ideas, ask difficult questions, and evaluate options without every preliminary discussion being characterized as a predetermined course of action. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026 The estimate was preliminary and separate from the $122 million in gross agricultural production reported for 2025. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

Tennyson never made it to the Southern Section track preliminaries after winning the league title. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026 Tickets to the mixed archery preliminary set me back $110 each, then $85 each for the mixed equestrian preliminary. — Personal Finance Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preliminary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary

Adjective

The drawing may have been made as a preparatory study to show a prospective patron before Canaletto completed a related painting.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Canaletto expert Charles Beddington authenticated the drawing, which was likely a preparatory sketch for a painting last sold in 1995 for $354,000 (about $766,000 in today’s dollars).

— News Desk, Artforum, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of preparatory

Noun

But that ticket surge was just a prelude for the Sixers signing LeBron James to a two-year, $8 million contract later that month.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026
The beginning of Between Worlds functions as a kind of prelude, offering a straightforward primer on Said.

— Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of prelude

Adjective

If interest rates are higher when that introductory period ends, your monthly payment and interest costs could rise significantly.

— Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
OpenAI says Dot usage will temporarily not count against eligible users' plan allowances during the introductory period, with longer-term usage terms still to come.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of introductory

Browse Nearby Words

preliminarily

preliminary

prelude

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“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of preliminary

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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