Initial and Preceding

Initial

Initial adjective - Coming before all others in time or order.
Usage example: you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question

Preceding and initial are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Preceding" instead an adjective "Initial".

Preceding

Preceding adjective - Going before another in time or order.
Usage example: had not eaten since the preceding day

Initial and preceding are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Initial" instead an adjective "Preceding".

Both words in one sentence

  • The initial Giygas fits the bill as more alien-like, seen in preceding game Mother as a more humanoid alien with vaguely lengthy appendages, within a chamber attached to a huge machine.
  • Comic Book / V for Vendetta All There in the Manual: The musical interlude, This Vicious Cabaret, pretty much outlines all of V's plans, but the initial reading makes it look like a summary of the preceding chapters.
Cite this Source
Preceding and Initial. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/initial/preceding
Initial & Preceding. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/initial/preceding>.
Preceding or Initial. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/initial/preceding.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "initial" and "preceding" have occurred on timeline