INITIAL Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

initial 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈni-shəl

Definition of initial

as in first

coming before all others in time or order you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

initial

2 of 2

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 initial

Adjective

Ten Pillar Sports Fund, backed by UC Investments, led the Series C raise, which is oversubscribed, surpassing the league’s initial $100 million target. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) has an interest rate that is fixed for an initial period and then changes periodically. — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

The lawyer tells you to initial every page. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 The documents largely amount to a memorandum of understanding, with the two countries’ foreign ministers initialling a peace agreement, and Aliyev and Pashinyan signing a joint declaration to pursue a lasting peace. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for initial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for initial

Adjective

Player of the Week Senior outside hitter Quinn Grevengoed tallies 92 kills and 15 aces in seven matches and then is named MVP for host Chicago Christian as Knights take tournament title for first time since 2014.

— Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
After filling our brushes with mouthwash from docking station reservoirs, Sarah and I brushed our teeth side-by-side (a first for both of us professionally).

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of first

Adjective

The shop’s mascot, a rabbit, is named Lewis, after the original Lewis & Duncan grocery store that once inhabited the building.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Historic Preservation Commission members voted Thursday to approve exterior changes to the mansion’s original design plan as the building, now more than a century old, undergoes restoration and renovation as part of a new residential development.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of original

Verb

Neither rabbi endorsed the Met’s decision to honor Galliano, however.

— Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Candidates including Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer paid thousands of dollars to influencers who posted videos endorsing Steyer or talking about him in a positive light.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of endorse

Adjective

The inaugural edition took place in India, and selected a crop of businesses focusing on India’s priority health domains like oncology, chronic disease management and preventive care.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin, renowned as the world’s oldest major speedway, hosted its inaugural automobile race.

— USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of inaugural

Verb

One such collection of it-narratives survives in the form of the tiny manuscript books authored by children associated with the prominent New England Hale family.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
In June 2026, Edelson co-authored a research report which found that nearly 60% of social media safety features across the industry failed to effectively protect young users.

— Gili Malinsky Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of author

Adjective

The 21-year-old, who is competing in his maiden Grand Tour, won comfortably in Roquetes, delivered to the line by his deluxe teammates Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
All eyes were on Brooks’ maiden voyage on his first arena tour in a decade.

— Heather Bushman, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of maiden

Verb

Minnesota signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2025, and his ability to play numerous positions keeps him on the roster.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of sign

Browse Nearby Words

iniquity

initial

initialed

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“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initial. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of initial

adjective

verb

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