in the initial stages

Definitions

At the very beginning of a process or development.

In the early or formative phase of an activity.

Examples

The project is still in the initial stages, so we have not yet determined the final budget.

In the initial stages of the disease, symptoms are often mild and easily overlooked.

Synonyms

at the beginning in the early phases at the outset in the nascent stage at the starting point

Antonyms

in the final stages at the end in the advanced phase at the conclusion in the mature stage