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

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

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 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 The preamble The game had been simmering for a while. Jack Lang, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
  • In Germany itself, references to the Weimar Republic, the fragile democracy that preceded Hitler’s rise to power, are a staple of public debate as an unmistakable prelude-to-Hitler warning.
    Katja Hoyer, Washington Post, 9 June 2026
  • But all that was just a prelude to the eight-match CONCACAF Championship in 1989, the qualifying tournament for the next World Cup in Italy.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Sketch one wild concept and record a playful introduction for a project, because joy fuels momentum and often invites surprising breakthroughs.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
  • During a panel discussion later that day, Brown opened up to Zumba's CMO Carolina Moraes and moderator Louise Gannon about her introduction to dance as a child.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • Tennyson never made it to the Southern Section track preliminaries after winning the league title.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 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
  • Featuring forewords by Beccari and K-pop star Felix, the coffee table tome will be available from June in all Louis Vuitton stores priced at $185, with sales also benefiting UNICEF.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
  • The book carried blurbs from prominent journalists, including Nicholas Thompson, The Atlantic’s chief executive, and a foreword by Maria Ressa, the Nobel Peace Prize–winning reporter from the Philippines.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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