Synonyms of provisional

provisional

adjective

prə-ˈvizh-nəl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interim
• temporary
• transitional
• short-term
• provisionary
• provisory
• alternate
• impermanent
• tentative
• acting
• conditional
• ad interim
• makeshift
• expedient
• proxy
• intermediate
• substitute
• transitory
• limited
• ephemeral
• intermediary
• qualified
• fleeting
• improvised
• terminate
• short-range
• contingent
• terminable
• short-lived
• fugitive
• replaceable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• final
• long-term
• fixed
• unconditional
• settled
• unlimited
• unqualified
• set
• extended
• lasting
• standing
• eternal
• long-range
• perpetual
• everlasting
• immortal
• endless
• enduring
• timeless
• unending
• undying
• deathless
• dateless

2

as in temporary

serving in a position for the time being

he was appointed provisional executor of the industrialist's vast estate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interim
• temporary
• acting
• provisionary
• provisory
• ad interim
• makeshift
• alternate
• proxy
• backup
• stopgap
• substitute
• make-do
• jackleg

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• long-term

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of provisional

Two of her fellow ministers — David Lammy, the foreign secretary, and Yvette Cooper, the home secretary — gave the plan provisional support last month. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Zoom in: Bloomberg noted that last November, Olympique Lyonnais earned a provisional relegation from Ligue 1 due to an increase in club debts, a move Textor is battling to prevent. —Michael Flaherty, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025

Both incidents follow reports that the Trump administration is in the process of firing hundreds of provisional FAA employees amid an especially deadly period of air travel in North America. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025

But while Boom has secured more than $600 million in funding and 130 provisional orders from major airlines, the path to profitability remains challenging. —Jackie Snow, Quartz, 18 Feb. 2025