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
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Recent Examples of prefatory
The prefatory pause gives the audience a chance to applaud a starry ensemble.
—
Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Could be that fans were simply exhausted by all the prefatory ugliness that led up to Washington’s first playoff victory in 18 years, but anyone who tuned out early missed a hell of a star turn from the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Could be that fans were simply exhausted by all the prefatory ugliness that led up to Washington’s first playoff victory in 18 years, but anyone who tuned out early missed a hell of a star turn from the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefatory
Adjective
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To prepare for the frigid waters of Antarctica, Wigginton, a master scuba diver, plans to conduct some preparatory dives in Lake Huron at 60-90 feet, where water temperature is similar to the 25-foot goal in Antarctica.—
Lara Terpstra,
Freep.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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According to a Reuters report released Thursday, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB), the federal regulatory agency overseeing railroads, are already conducting preparatory work in anticipation of a possible two deals.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Over its introductory weekend in theaters, the third Man of Steel reboot released this millennium sold $125 million in tickets in North America.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
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In its history, over 2.5 million young people have taken a free introductory flight through Young Eagles.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Dunn was charged with felony assault, released without detention, and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 4.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Aug. 2025
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That’s skipping over a June incident when a Starship rocket exploded while being loaded with methane and liquid oxygen propellant ahead of its launch — due, Musk later said, citing preliminary data, to problems in the payload bay.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prefatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefatory. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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