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
Opposite Armani’s preface stands a picture of the late designer taken in 2010 on Via Manzoni, next to the Baroque church San Francesco di Paola across from the Armani Hotel.
—
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 2 Dec. 2025
And to preface, these are optional.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
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
However, for co-founder Michiel Beers, who started the festival with his brother, Manu, in 2005, creating one of the largest music festivals was just the preface to his Tomorrowland story.
—Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 2 Dec. 2025
And to preface, these are optional.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
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
However, for co-founder Michiel Beers, who started the festival with his brother, Manu, in 2005, creating one of the largest music festivals was just the preface to his Tomorrowland story.
—Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preface
Noun
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His introduction, usually bestowed by an actor or musician, was this year delivered on video by President Barack Obama.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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Five minutes can be an eternity in montage time, but the movie’s lengthy introduction is a daring announcement of historical scope.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Rhythm & Fire also features a foreword by Roots member Questlove, along with 30 exclusive color photographs.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
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With a new foreword from Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza, Chang’s exposé historicizes the plight of today’s immigrant working women.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Both men served as a prologue of sorts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
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Advertisement The show also falls prey to a few unfortunate streaming-era trends, from a penultimate flashback episode that delays the payoff of a cliffhanger by filling in backstory of questionable utility, to a scantness of plot that makes the whole short season feel like an overgrown prologue.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preface. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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