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
Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa receives the final version of the provisional electoral system for the People's Assembly, in Damascus, Syria, on July 27, 2025.
—
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
In 2006, a Mexican federal magistrate judge signed another provisional arrest warrant.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The provisional data suggests a stunning decline of nearly 42 percent.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 30 Aug. 2025
Authorities said that the provisional cause of Smith’s death was multiple injuries from a fall.
—David Chiu, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
In 2006, a Mexican federal magistrate judge signed another provisional arrest warrant.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The provisional data suggests a stunning decline of nearly 42 percent.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 30 Aug. 2025
Authorities said that the provisional cause of Smith’s death was multiple injuries from a fall.
—David Chiu, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provisional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provisional
Adjective
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Under the new Fish and Wildlife interim pintail harvest strategy, hunters in all four flyways are expected to have a three-pintail daily bag limit option for next year's 2026–'27 season based on this year's breeding population results.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
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Market Basket, the popular grocery store chain embroiled in a family feud, has named a new interim CEO.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There is, actually, another category of nail lovers that has emerged in recent years, and those are people who swear by temporary press-ons.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Cook sued over the firing, being granted a temporary restraining order by Judge Jia Cobb last week.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provisional. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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