as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
a noted critic has written a short preface to her story to explain some of the historical background
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Recent Examples of preface
Now with a new preface for its 65th anniversary, Jaffe’s classic shows how women in the workplace navigated the era’s social and political ladders.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
International execs participating on a Red Sea Souk panel on ‘Futureproofing our Industry’, steered by Library Pictures International CEO David Taghioff, shared their thoughts on the deal as a preface to the main topic of the discussion.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
And to preface, these are optional.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for preface
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
International execs participating on a Red Sea Souk panel on ‘Futureproofing our Industry’, steered by Library Pictures International CEO David Taghioff, shared their thoughts on the deal as a preface to the main topic of the discussion.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
And to preface, these are optional.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for preface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preface
Noun
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The day began with introductions in a garage attached to the gym.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Before the introduction of meta glasses, Huston would record his POV videos using the Snapchat Spectacle glasses.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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My Jamaican Table, his first book (Springsteen wrote the foreword), is a mouth-watering mix of traditional classic dishes like oxtail with rice and peas, and curry chicken alongside modern spins on American classics, like his signature jerk smashburger with bacon jam.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
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This May, the 50th anniversary edition of the book—revamped with a new foreword by culinary historian and journalist Toni Tipton-Martin—will be released.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Alongside the big group numbers characterized by the prologue, Ragtime features intimate solos, duets and trios.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
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At the close of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (which, incidentally, features an admirable character called Bottom the Weaver), a play is to be performed for Duke Theseus and his bride, the Amazon Hippolyta, with a prologue spoken by the director.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preface. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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