Definition of exordiumnext
as in preface
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part in his exordium the author warns his readers that they should expect a radically different interpretation of the causes of the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exordium
Noun
  • In the preface of her new book, MJ Corey offers a note of apology for pouring so much energy into analyzing a family that’s famously famous for being famous, and for little else, said Megan Garber in The Atlantic.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 10 June 2026
  • The book arrives on the scene six years before Wordsworth’s preface to the Lyrical Ballads (considered the first Romantic manifesto).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Following an introduction by rap icon Ice Cube and a video contextualizing Hill’s nomination for the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award (as if anyone in the audience doubted her influence), a knockout lineup took the stage.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Since its 2022 introduction, Ryder's Law has received a swell of support from local and national animal welfare groups; NYC legislators, including former mayor Eric Adams; and a slew of celebrities such as Billie Eilish, Ricky Gervais, Marisa Tomei and Christopher Walken.
    ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • The book, co-authored by Darren Grubb and Johnny Russo, featured a foreword by Letterman.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • Also, writing a foreword is a much healthier way to express enthusiasm than showing up at Lauren's house unannounced.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • But the recent past need not be prologue.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 June 2026
  • This Cannes Directors’ Fortnight prizewinner sets out its pitch-black-comic stall early with a prologue in which, after a brief contretemps, local man Raoul Brun (Jean-Louis Coulloc’h) blows his supercilious neighbor’s head off with a shotgun and then disappears.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exordium.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exordium. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on exordium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster