Synonyms of preface

preface

noun

ˈpre-fəs 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• introduction
• foreword
• prologue
• intro
• prelude
• preamble
• proem
• exordium
• beginning
• start
• prolusion
• outset
• commencement
• initiation
• opening
• origin
• origination

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• epilogue
• postscript
• conclusion
• aftermath
• end
• closing
• finish
• close
• envoi
• termination
• stop
• cessation
• finale

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preface

In his preface to a new edition published in 1983, de Groot responded to readers who’d travelled to the valley and complained to the publisher that the auberge and its cooking were shockingly unlike the book’s descriptions. —John Birdsall, New Yorker, 25 July 2025

To preface, the woman wrote that her husband has waist-length hair. —Rachel Flynn, People.com, 26 June 2025

Chomet has dabbled in live action as well, but only recently returned to animation, notably last year’s five-minute preface to Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 June 2025

While strong levels of consumer spending generally bode well for economic performance, several economists saw the March surge as the preface for a steep spring fall. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2025