Synonyms of preliminary

preliminary 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē 

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

• preparatory
• introductory
• primary
• beginning
• prefatory
• preparative
• prelim
• precursory
• basic
• preparing
• early
• prelusive
• previous
• fundamental
• introducing
• elementary
• warning
• premonitory
• prior
• preceding
• readying
• prefacing
• ahead
• former

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• subsequent
• after
• behind

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

• prelude
• overture
• prologue
• preamble
• warm-up
• curtain-raiser
• lead-in
• start
• countdown
• kickoff
• run-up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preliminary

Adjective

Fire crews quickly deployed hoses and made a preliminary search to confirm no one was inside. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

The plane also descended sharply from its cruising altitude of around 24,000 feet to around 10,000 feet, according to preliminary data from the flight tracking site FlightRadar24. — John Raby, Los Angeles Times, 4 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