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 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
See All Example Sentences for preface
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
See All Example Sentences for preface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preface
Noun
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The storytelling around super shoes comes naturally, as most of the biggest breakthroughs in running technology have come from the category since its introduction in 2016.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
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His first introduction to an instrument was by his pianist mother, on the piano at age 3, until switching to the cello a year later and studying under his father’s guidance.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Lukasiak wrote the foreword for her book.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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The newest ebook edition of Slow Horses author Mick Herron‘s novel Down Cemetery Road begins with a foreword by Emma Thompson.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In a prologue—Trier is unfashionably fond of them—a young girl who lives there, Nora, describes the place with a tender, anthropomorphizing curiosity.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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After an awesomely hokey prologue that deprives Det.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preface. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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