provisory

adjective

prə-ˈvī-zə-rē How to pronounce provisory (audio)
Definition of provisorynext
1
as in temporary
intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time a provisory permit to block off the street while movie scenes were being shot

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in interim
serving in a position for the time being a provisory legal adviser who will be replaced by a court-appointed public defender

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provisory
  1. temporary
  2. interim
  3. provisional
Adjective
  • The recall classification was updated this month to Class ll — meaning exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Any kind of workout is a temporary emergency for the cells involved.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of temporary
Adjective
  • Running backs coach and special teams coordinator Todd Goebbel will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • During a March City Council meeting, interim Police Chief Douglas Brinkley said Independence officers conducted 541 pursuits in 2025, compared with 137 by Kansas City police, The Kansas City Star reported.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of interim
Adjective
  • But the suspension remains provisional, pending further legal proceedings that could include an agreement under consideration by a federal court.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But their ballot is provisional, and it is not supposed to be counted until the voter is verified by state officials.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of provisional
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.

Browse Nearby Words

proviso
provisory
provisos
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Cite this Entry

“Provisory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provisory. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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