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
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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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Recent Examples of prelude
Japan then conquered Nanjing and other parts of China in 1937 during the Sino-Japanese war, a prelude to World War II, and followed its 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by taking over the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines and present-day Myanmar and Indonesia.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
That sweep of the Red Sox was just a prelude to six additional series for the Orioles over the season’s final six weeks that could alter the playoff picture in two different leagues.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This event is a prelude to the museum’s month-long Hispanic Heritage celebration in September, which will feature a variety of community partners, programs and a visit of live alpacas.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Without prelude, Eva Longoria suddenly popped up in the second episode of this spring’s fourth season of FX’s Welcome to Wrexham, cheering alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny (now Rob Mac) in the crowd at the Racecourse.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
That sweep of the Red Sox was just a prelude to six additional series for the Orioles over the season’s final six weeks that could alter the playoff picture in two different leagues.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This event is a prelude to the museum’s month-long Hispanic Heritage celebration in September, which will feature a variety of community partners, programs and a visit of live alpacas.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Without prelude, Eva Longoria suddenly popped up in the second episode of this spring’s fourth season of FX’s Welcome to Wrexham, cheering alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny (now Rob Mac) in the crowd at the Racecourse.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
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Yet Lupino brings such intensity and anger to her performance that the film’s register shifts into something far darker — so dark, in fact, that a prologue and epilogue Jack Warner insisted be added to make the movie more glamorous focus on a suicide attempt!—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
25 Sep. 2025
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Deadline confirmed last month that WBD subsidiary New Line Cinema was having early discussions surrounding a prologue film.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What helped make desktop inkjets practical was the introduction of the very same cartridges that made ink so expensive.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
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It was also spurred by the introduction of the antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine in the 1950s; the 1963 Community Mental Health Act to fund a system of local mental health care centers; changes in Medicaid; and landmark court decisions and federal civil rights laws.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Galvin’s spokesperson said the issue was not related with the city’s administration of the preliminary.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Prud’homme has ordered an archival binder and plans to create a preface that contextualizes Derome’s life alongside the artwork.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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At the same time, the Edinburgh publishers Oliver and Boyd brought out an anthology called The Door of Youth—A Selection of Poems from Edinburgh School Magazines, with a discouraging preface by John Buchan.—
Frances Wilson
September 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Since then, Moscow has expanded its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, while seemingly ignoring his overtures for further dialogue to end the conflict.—
Matthew Bodner,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
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Lee has made peace overtures since taking office in June, saying dialog with Pyongyang was necessary, and has proposed steps to build confidence and eventually end the North’s nuclear program.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An article published by the wrestling news outlet Slam Wrestling in the days after Rocky's death claimed that Rocky's co-author never spoke with Dwayne about the book and that his audio interviews with Rocky featured the late wrestler giving him permission to write a foreword as Dwayne.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
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There’s even a foreword by the legendary food author Mollie Katzen, who wrote 1977’s Moosewood Cookbook — a staple in every vegetarian household — which really seals the deal.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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