as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
a noted critic has written a short preface to her story to explain some of the historical background
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Recent Examples of preface
In his preface of the American Legion’s Junior Baseball for 1938 program, Chaillaux noted that 500,000 boys participated in Legion ball.
—
Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
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
This excerpt includes the book’s preface and the lyrics and commentaries for six songs.
—John Darnielle, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
International execs participating on a Red Sea Souk panel on ‘Futureproofing our Industry’, steered by Library Pictures International CEO David Taghioff, shared their thoughts on the deal as a preface to the main topic of the discussion.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
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
This excerpt includes the book’s preface and the lyrics and commentaries for six songs.
—John Darnielle, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
International execs participating on a Red Sea Souk panel on ‘Futureproofing our Industry’, steered by Library Pictures International CEO David Taghioff, shared their thoughts on the deal as a preface to the main topic of the discussion.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preface
Noun
-
Slowing its introduction makes no more sense than efforts to delay electrification would’ve made in the 1880s.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
Clark and her teammates walked down the stairs and through the crowd to the court for player introductions with the loudest roar, naturally, reserved for Clark.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
Noun
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His former roles include FBI Special Agent and SWAT Team member; Deputy Director of the California Office of Homeland Security under Arnold Schwarzenegger, who provides a foreword in the memoir; and Chief of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
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What’s a bigger flex than Kim Kardashian writing the foreword to your first book?—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That begins with a reasonably effective prologue that depicts the fall of her childhood home, Edenia, and gives Kitana’s origin a more solid foundation than any of her cast mates.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
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The past was more than prologue even for the more prominent new musicals.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preface. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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