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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Recent Examples of preliminary
Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
The women beat Moldova 8-0 and were competitive in defeats to Finland (5-2) and Slovenia (4-2), sending them home from Euros qualifying in the preliminary rounds, but positive for a history-making team.
—Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2024
On the national level, the competition is in four phases: preliminaries, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for preliminary 
Adjective
Although the two court rulings were only preliminary injunctions, not final judgments, there's no reason to think the merger will revive, given the acrimony arising from the merger, Ross said.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
The women beat Moldova 8-0 and were competitive in defeats to Finland (5-2) and Slovenia (4-2), sending them home from Euros qualifying in the preliminary rounds, but positive for a history-making team.
—Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
Born in Baltimore and a graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School, swimmer Tommy Hannan won gold as a swimmer in the preliminaries of the Sydney 2000 400 medley relay, which was won by teammates swimming in the finals.
—Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2024
On the national level, the competition is in four phases: preliminaries, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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Sign up Renaissance drawings were generally used as preparatory tools, said Alastair Sooke in The Daily Telegraph.The Week UK, theweek, 15 Nov. 2024
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Basically, those are college prep courses in history/social science, English, math, a foreign language, a laboratory science, visual and performing arts, and a college preparatory elective.Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But the devastation of 2017 was only a prelude to an even graver year.CalMatters, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024
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The Ravens’ game Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles might be a prelude to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans in February.Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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After the introductory period, memberships will be $10 per month, and at no additional cost for All Access, Guide, and App+ Members.Adrienne So, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024
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That introductory set has thus far peaked at No. 49 on the 50-spot list.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near preliminary
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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