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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of preamble
Unless needed for clarity, avoid long preambles.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The story of the backchannel through Belarus, in other words, could become the preamble to Ukraine’s capitulation.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
Lewis, meanwhile, was finishing what would turn out to be his last essay for the Quarterly, the preamble for the issue on Energy, originally scheduled to appear in the summer of 2023.
—Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
The celebrity round was the preamble to the 45th Ryder Cup, kicking off Friday with Europe defending its crown from the 2023 tournament.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for preamble
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The story of the backchannel through Belarus, in other words, could become the preamble to Ukraine’s capitulation.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
Lewis, meanwhile, was finishing what would turn out to be his last essay for the Quarterly, the preamble for the issue on Energy, originally scheduled to appear in the summer of 2023.
—Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
The celebrity round was the preamble to the 45th Ryder Cup, kicking off Friday with Europe defending its crown from the 2023 tournament.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
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And so, as a prelude to solving the Navier-Stokes problem, mathematicians have searched for blowups (also called singularities) in an assortment of simplified fluid equations, such as those that operate in only one dimension.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
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Previous rounds of popular unrest have also seen the government shut down communications, usually as a prelude to an all-out crackdown.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That introduction came after the club announced Monday that Raphael Wicky has been hired to the head coaching position on a 2 1/2-year contract.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
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This week begins Malinin’s introduction to the greater sports audience, including those who tune in once a cycle.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
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Two weeks after Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, suffered a shocking fall during the Miss Universe preliminaries in Bangkok, the organization is offering an update on her condition.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Colbert opened his Monday night broadcast with a preface in light of Reiner’s death, as well as the shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
16 Dec. 2025
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This excerpt includes the book’s preface and the lyrics and commentaries for six songs.—
John Darnielle,
Rolling Stone,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
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With a foreword by Billboard Español associate editor Isabela Raygoza, the book also highlights the lasting political significance of bands like Kortatu and La Polla Records, positioning punk as a force for resistance and change in the country’s unsettled transformation.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
10 Jan. 2026
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The book of the same name brings to life Talley’s impact on global culture, with a foreword from Paula Wallace, president and founder of SCAD.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
13 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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