Definition of preamblenext
1
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event the round of hors d'oeuvres was merely the preamble to an evening of lavish feasting

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2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part an insightful analysis of the preamble to the Constitution of the United States

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of preamble This year, however, the marketing language seemed dialed up to 11, with a lot of preamble throughout the 75-minute keynote. Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026 This essay opens with a preamble that directly addresses your audience. Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 The Illinois budget and good policies are the catalyst to achieving the goals in the preamble. Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 The preamble to the code recognizes that visual journalists are trustees of the public by providing independent, diverse views of events and issues and exposing wrongdoing. Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
  • Zach Benson’s playoff performance looked like a prelude to a breakout.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In 1996, when the first three novels were reprinted again, Kennedy appended a prelude that reads like an account of the cycle’s evolution—except that the author of these books is identified as Billy Phelan’s nephew Daniel Quinn.
    Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Grealish’s introduction in the 66th minute offers alternatives.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • If this is somebody’s introduction to ESPHome, the first ten minutes count.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This year’s Miss World competition recently made headlines during the preliminaries when Ugandan delegate Elle Muhoza made a powerful fashion statement.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But all of that was just the preliminaries for Grady Emerson.
    John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • What could have been a throwaway nibble instead becomes a thought-through, gripping preface that sets up what’s to come.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Published by Curvebender in honor of Martin’s centenary, the book features a new foreword written by another knight of the turntable, Sir Paul McCartney.
    Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There’s one anecdote in the cookbook’s foreword that Tiedemann wrestled with sharing.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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