1
as in prologue
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
an eruption of sectarian violence that proved to be the prelude to all-out civil war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
the musical had a brief prelude to get the audience in the proper mood
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prelude
That intervention turned out to be just a prelude.
—
Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
Yet if that was supposed to be the prelude to a late Liverpool winner, then no one had considered Maguire’s late intervention.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The new name could be a prelude to larger changes, either with the physical Apple TV device, or for Apple TV+.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
What wasn’t revealed at the time, however, was how this was a prelude to the Netflix special early next year.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
Yet if that was supposed to be the prelude to a late Liverpool winner, then no one had considered Maguire’s late intervention.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The new name could be a prelude to larger changes, either with the physical Apple TV device, or for Apple TV+.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
What wasn’t revealed at the time, however, was how this was a prelude to the Netflix special early next year.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
In a prologue—Trier is unfashionably fond of them—a young girl who lives there, Nora, describes the place with a tender, anthropomorphizing curiosity.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
After an awesomely hokey prologue that deprives Det.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His life was not particularly changed by her introduction to it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Vogue's Anna Wintour playfully poked fun at Rocky's daughter being his namesake in her introduction to the rapper, 37.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Santana finished a weak fourth in the preliminary.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
-
In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Or at least that is what Thorkelín said in the preface to his edition, when it was finally published in 1815 (along with a Latin translation).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
-
And to preface, these are optional.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The company didn’t name Paramount or any others that have made M&A overtures.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But Aytaç was absorbed in the management of conversation, Abdi was silent, and no overture came from either.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lukasiak wrote the foreword for her book.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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The newest ebook edition of Slow Horses author Mick Herron‘s novel Down Cemetery Road begins with a foreword by Emma Thompson.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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