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 The Illinois budget and good policies are the catalyst to achieving the goals in the preamble. Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 Its preamble runs just 52 words. Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026 At one end of the plaza, protesters added their signatures to a supersize fabric mural of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, with a 75-foot-long extension meant as a canvas for attendees to sign. Maliya Ellis, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026 Or a slightly shorter series that dispensed with the preamble, but gave the real meat of the story more room to breathe? Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
  • The elegant, minimalistic, black-wooden cabinet box containing 12 cigars is but a prelude to this, the mildest cigar sporting the distinctive Davidoff black band.
    Richard Carleton Hacker, Robb Report, 19 June 2026
  • This was the second of five group-stage games to be held here, a collective prelude to the July 1 main event (Round of 32).
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • In 2023, net migration was just under 950,000, an all-time high, as immigration by non-EU citizens spiked before dropping sharply with the introduction of new policies.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • The introduction of more advanced video games since the early 2000s has even been cited as a cause for men working fewer hours.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • The meet continues Thursday, a day consisting largely of women’s preliminaries, followed by men’s finals Friday and women’s finals Saturday.
    Mike Wilson, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • Hernandez, now a Southern Section champion again, along with all the other winners will move onto the CIF preliminaries next Saturday to face the rest of the state's top female jumpers, with a chance to get back to the state finals.
    Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
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
  • Doerge's friend, Jenna Bush Hager, wrote the foreword to Reimagining Grief.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
  • The Fridays From the Garden Cookbook lends lots of inspiration for summertime dishes, featuring a foreword by Stewart herself and 150 recipes inspired by the estate’s regenerative farming philosophies.
    Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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