1
as in interim
intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time
will form a provisional government until a new leader can be elected
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2
as in temporary
serving in a position for the time being
he was appointed provisional executor of the industrialist's vast estate
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Recent Examples of provisional
The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester rescinded provisional admission offers to PhD applicants and froze all hiring amid uncertainty around federal funding.
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Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
His study was a response to the FDA’s requirement in the 1980s for additional long-term feeding studies in rats and mice as a condition for the continued provisional approval of several color additives, including Red 3.
—Phil Galewitz, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2025
The second largest importer of Chinese steel, South Korea, announced a provisional tariff of 38 percent on Chinese steel plate shipments, a key material in construction and shipbuilding.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
The 46-year-old died last month and an inquest today was opened and then adjourned for a full hearing to May 28, according to the BBC, which reported its provisional results.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
His study was a response to the FDA’s requirement in the 1980s for additional long-term feeding studies in rats and mice as a condition for the continued provisional approval of several color additives, including Red 3.
—Phil Galewitz, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2025
The second largest importer of Chinese steel, South Korea, announced a provisional tariff of 38 percent on Chinese steel plate shipments, a key material in construction and shipbuilding.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
The 46-year-old died last month and an inquest today was opened and then adjourned for a full hearing to May 28, according to the BBC, which reported its provisional results.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provisional. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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