as in first
coming before all others in time or order
you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of initial
Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
The initial investigation conducted by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office reported that the vehicle being driven by Martin was traveling northbound on Townline Avenue, crossed over the southbound lane and went into the west ditch before striking a tree.
—Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2024
Medical staff had a practice of pre-filling out the logs and then initialing them later.
—Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for initial 
Adjective
Torres scored Barcelona’s and his second of the game on 17 minutes, capitalizing on a loose ball inside the box after a shot by Yamal hit the post, but the initial chaos was unleashed by Barca’s No 8.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
The initial investigation conducted by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office reported that the vehicle being driven by Martin was traveling northbound on Townline Avenue, crossed over the southbound lane and went into the west ditch before striking a tree.
—Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
The document, dated March 14, was supposed to be initialed and signed in multiple places by Hamel, though investigators allege that the signature did not match the one used on police paperwork previously signed by Hamel.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2024
Medical staff had a practice of pre-filling out the logs and then initialing them later.
—Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for initial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initial
Adjective
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Maryland trailed 22-15 after the first quarter then trimmed that deficit to just two entering halftime, erasing its slow start by closing the half on a 7-0 run and making its eventual comeback more manageable.—
Taylor Lyons,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
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Prince Harry Reveals His Candid 'Wish' for Invictus Games at 10 Years (Exclusive) Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle memorably made their first public appearance as a couple during a wheelchair tennis match at the 2017 Toronto Games.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The film also won best actor for Brody at the BAFTAs, as well as best cinematography and best original score.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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The original intent of IDEA—systematic services for students with disabilities—was vital, but its execution has become mired in bureaucracy, inefficiency, and mixed outcomes.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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After last year’s inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, Batiste has brought the event back for its second iteration and this time, he will be joined by Janelle Monáe, Chaka Khan, and Willow.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2025
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Unrivaled will crown a winner of its inaugural 1-on-1 tournament Friday, the latest innovation from a league already well ahead of its competitors.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Twenty-five state attorneys general endorsed a request for the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that would permanently categorize fentanyl analogues as drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.—
Ray Lewis,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
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The comedian and podcaster endorsed Trump the day before the election but had previously spoken favorably of Senator Bernie Sanders and criticized Trump in the past.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, the school’s library will feature books authored by Russell to inspire future generations of students.—
Andy Scholes,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
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Senate Bill 287, authored by Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, and Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen, would change the school board election process to that of other elections, which would include a primary and general election, by requiring candidates to declare a party.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This was one of their departure numbers — a maiden voyage of a work leading to future ports of entry.—
Colin Fleming,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
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As TVLine exclusively reported, the second half Doctor Odyssey’s maiden voyage will see the return of country music icon Shania Twain as widowed passenger Heather, who cozied up to Don Johnson’s Captain Massey during Singles Week.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But as part of the deal, Amazon MGM Studios signed a first-look series and film deal with 5&2 Studios.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
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Trump signed an executive order Tuesday seeking a significant reduction in the size of the government.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Before becoming one of America’s foremost historians, a Pulitzer Prize winner and writer of seminal books on Abraham Lincoln (a basis for the Steven Spielberg film Lincoln), Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Teddy Roosevelt and Johnson, Kearns Goodwin became a White House Fellow under LBJ.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
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At his death in 1996, he was considered one of the country’s foremost historians of the Black experience in America.—
Jeffrey Boutwell,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near initial
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initial. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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