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
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
And to preface, these are optional.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
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
And to preface, these are optional.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preface
Noun
-
During the last international break, when Germany faced Ghana in Stuttgart, the crowd at the Neckarstadion spent much of the evening chanting for Undav’s introduction from the bench.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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This 62%-off cotton quilt set is a sunny introduction to the brand and an easy way to integrate some of that homey charm into your space.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 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
-
Past is, of course, not always prologue.—
Tony Wood,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2026
-
What restraint the film has is mostly to be found in an elegant prologue that ramps up to the first of many resourcefully horrible kills, opening in the recent past on a wholesome Egyptian family taking a rural car trip.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preface. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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