PRELIMINARY Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

preliminary 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē

Definition of preliminary

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preliminary

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of preliminary

Adjective

Alberta’s preliminary referendum results were a definitive rejection of the idea that the province would be better off as an independent country. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 Officials say preliminary evidence indicates that all three substances are potent and could result in dependence and respiratory depression. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

Tennyson never made it to the Southern Section track preliminaries after winning the league title. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026 Tickets to the mixed archery preliminary set me back $110 each, then $85 each for the mixed equestrian preliminary. — Personal Finance Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preliminary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary

Adjective

The drawing may have been made as a preparatory study to show a prospective patron before Canaletto completed a related painting.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Canaletto expert Charles Beddington authenticated the drawing, which was likely a preparatory sketch for a painting last sold in 1995 for $354,000 (about $766,000 in today’s dollars).

— News Desk, Artforum, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of preparatory

Noun

The Bulldogs have road games at Penn and Columbia, then home games against Brown and Princeton, the prelude to The Game at Fenway Park.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
And yet, in Wembanyama’s eyes — and those of his teammates — those accomplishments amount to little more than a prelude.

— Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of prelude

Adjective

The basic model of competitive markets which one finds in an introductory economics textbook—where independent firms engage in cold arm’s-length transactions motivated by unadulterated self-interest—does not apply to the industry.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
JetBlue is offering some introductory fares for BlueFirst seats for select flights, including a $299 flight from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, a $249 option from New York to Fort Lauderdale and a $299 option from New York to Liberia, Costa Rica.

— Maggie Roth, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of introductory

Browse Nearby Words

preliminarily

preliminary

prelude

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of preliminary

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes