Synonyms of prefatory

prefatory

adjective

ˈpre-fə-ˌtȯr-ē 

as in preparatory

coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows

in prefatory remarks he offered his own definition of "civilization", a word subject to a variety of interpretations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• preparatory
• introductory
• preliminary
• preparative
• beginning
• primary
• precursory
• prelim
• prelusive
• basic
• prefacing
• preparing
• early
• introducing
• previous
• premonitory
• fundamental
• elementary
• warning
• preceding
• prior
• readying
• former
• ahead

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• subsequent
• following
• after
• behind

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prefatory

There was a prefatory letter by Archibald MacLeish, a professor at Harvard and a former Librarian of Congress, and an introduction by Mark Schorer, a professor of English at Berkeley, along with blurbs from other eminent men of letters. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Despite some discouraging downward trends, all the prefatory jawing could go a long way toward siphoning off a fair number of viewers who might otherwise be locked in on the NFL. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025

The prefatory pause gives the audience a chance to applaud a starry ensemble. — Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024