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
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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
Meanwhile, according to several press reports, the German government has asked for a meeting with Berlusconi that is now scheduled for September, in what appears to be a preamble to Germany giving the Berlusconi family the greenlight for a Prosieben takeover.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 July 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
Meanwhile, according to several press reports, the German government has asked for a meeting with Berlusconi that is now scheduled for September, in what appears to be a preamble to Germany giving the Berlusconi family the greenlight for a Prosieben takeover.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 July 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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The whole ordeal ended badly — which Powell said was a prelude for what was to come next.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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Stepping into one of Arizona's oldest hotels might feel like time traveling to a different era, following the footsteps of famous figures from the past, or a prelude to encountering a ghost.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What helped make desktop inkjets practical was the introduction of the very same cartridges that made ink so expensive.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
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It was also spurred by the introduction of the antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine in the 1950s; the 1963 Community Mental Health Act to fund a system of local mental health care centers; changes in Medicaid; and landmark court decisions and federal civil rights laws.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Galvin’s spokesperson said the issue was not related with the city’s administration of the preliminary.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Prud’homme has ordered an archival binder and plans to create a preface that contextualizes Derome’s life alongside the artwork.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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At the same time, the Edinburgh publishers Oliver and Boyd brought out an anthology called The Door of Youth—A Selection of Poems from Edinburgh School Magazines, with a discouraging preface by John Buchan.—
Frances Wilson
September 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An article published by the wrestling news outlet Slam Wrestling in the days after Rocky's death claimed that Rocky's co-author never spoke with Dwayne about the book and that his audio interviews with Rocky featured the late wrestler giving him permission to write a foreword as Dwayne.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
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There’s even a foreword by the legendary food author Mollie Katzen, who wrote 1977’s Moosewood Cookbook — a staple in every vegetarian household — which really seals the deal.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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