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

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Recent Examples of preparatory Four preparatory sketches on view are among fewer than a dozen surviving examples and illustrate the continuity and interconnectedness of his projects over several decades. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 But those negotiations have not begun — there have only been preparatory talks — and the first phase has been jolted by one dispute after another. Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 Only limited preparatory talks have been held so far. Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025 But this time measures like the travel ban were replaced by more methodical reviews and preparatory actions that could serve as the precursors to such policies while putting them on more solid legal footing. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preparatory

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“Preparatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preparatory. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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