as in preliminary
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
a preparatory investigation to see if there is enough evidence to warrant bringing charges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 preparatory
That vision also includes preparatory work, through robotic landings in the general region of the lunar south pole, targeted to happen as often as once a month starting in 2027.
—
Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The Joint Budget Committee’s half-dozen members finished their extensive preparatory work on the annual spending plan last week.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
But diplomatic protocol ahead of a presidential visit to China usually sees either the US secretary of state or the national security advisor make a preparatory trip too, and that did not happen.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Before the performance, students participate in several preparatory rehearsals.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The Joint Budget Committee’s half-dozen members finished their extensive preparatory work on the annual spending plan last week.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
But diplomatic protocol ahead of a presidential visit to China usually sees either the US secretary of state or the national security advisor make a preparatory trip too, and that did not happen.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Before the performance, students participate in several preparatory rehearsals.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preparatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preparatory
Adjective
-
According to court records, an unsecured bond of $30,000 was set for Mours, who is due to face a preliminary hearing next month.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Steven Jones was shot and killed after his sister called 911 and said he was armed with a knife during a mental health crisis and had cut himself, according to a preliminary report from the Connecticut Office of Inspector General.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That archive of prints is in the process of being broken up for sale, and a few hundred of those boxes, including this set of 36 prints plus a clutch of introductory material and captions, have made their way to Daniel/Oliver, a gallery in East Williamsburg.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
28 Apr. 2026
-
At Fudd’s introductory press conference with the Wings on April 16, she was asked to comment on her off-court connection with Bueckers by a local reporter.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
