preliminarily

adverb

Definition of preliminarilynext
as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time the sick children were examined preliminarily by the nurse to determine if they had a rash

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 preliminarily Spinnova is preliminarily targeting at least $15 million, or roughly 13 million euros, in gross proceeds. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 The National Weather Service preliminarily identified the storm as a derecho, but said the analysis won't be final until sometime in 2027. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 County officials also preliminarily estimate around $150,000 has gone toward county staff time on the effort. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2026 However, a July 30 report from The New York Times says investigators preliminarily believe Iranian hackers were probably responsible. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Heading into the weekend, the trend is preliminarily forecasted to continue. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026 Graham died Saturday at the age of 71 of what was preliminarily diagnosed as a rupture of his aorta due to a hardening of his arteries, his office said. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 14 July 2026 Coiro said that, preliminarily, it is believed a gas cylinder in the trunk may have closed the explosion. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 13 July 2026 Investigators also preliminarily had ruled out potential self-harm, CHP officials said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminarily
  1. already
  2. ahead
  3. previously
  4. early
  5. before
Adverb
  • From the moment Billie learns about Sophie-Rose, the teenager who inherited her legendary fake ID after it was already passed down to multiple other Gen-Z blondes, she’s obsessed.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Announced just last week, fans are already in throes of excitement, with scores of late-night launch events lined up internationally.
    — Kyle MacNeill, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of already
Adverb
  • Nor did Governor Shin Hyun Song rule out another tap of the brakes in the months ahead.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Crews may benefit from slightly cooler temperatures in the days ahead, Gass said, and wind conditions are expected to remain fairly calm in both areas.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ahead
Adverb
  • Although Bridgers hasn’t previously covered Nirvana, her band boygenius did recreate the rock band’s iconic Rolling Stone 1994 cover image in 2023.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The most useful example turned out to be something Alexa had previously done very well.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of previously
Adverb
  • That projection is 79% higher than the bank’s estimate from a year earlier.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tysie Gallagher, Terri Harper and Caroline Dubois beat Americans Brandi Robinson, Miranda Reyes and Amelia Moore, respectively, earlier in the night, while Reina Tellez defeated Jessica Barry for the United States’ only victory.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of early
Adverb
  • Some could be worse than before, while others may not show up at all.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Kendrick only found out about the event a day before and was already prepping for the upcoming Jackson Street Block Party in honor of Gary native Michael Jackson’s birthday.
    — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of before

Browse Nearby Words

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preliminarily
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Cite this Entry

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

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