PROVISORY Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

provisory

adjective

prə-ˈvī-zə-rē

Definition of provisory

as in temporary

intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time a provisory permit to block off the street while movie scenes were being shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in interim

serving in a position for the time being a provisory legal adviser who will be replaced by a court-appointed public defender

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provisory

Adjective

Reyes said the 24-hour temporary order could be extended to 14 days if necessary.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Reyes had issued a one-day temporary restraining order early Monday morning ahead of the hearing, so her order on Tuesday extends that ban for two weeks.

— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

The Union have climbed from last place in the Eastern Conference at the World Cup break to sixth under interim coach Ryan Richter, who took over after Bradley Carnell was let go.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Napoli replaces Guillermo Olmedillo, who had served as interim village manager and is staying on as a land use, zoning and infrastructure consultant.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of interim

Adjective

If the names cannot be matched under the applicable rules, further verification or a provisional ballot may be necessary.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Police said in an initial statement on Saturday that an 18-year-old man, whose vehicle had a p-plate (indicating the driver holds a provisional or probationary license) attached, was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

— Colin Millar, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of provisional

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.

Browse Nearby Words

proviso

provisory

provisos

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of provisory

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes