as in preludes
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminaries
Noun
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Right, an Indianapolis Colts player is seen in a file photo during warm-ups before the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6, 2024.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025 -
An errant throw during warm-ups before the start of the ninth inning struck him on the left side of the jaw.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Since then, Moscow has expanded its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, while seemingly ignoring his overtures for further dialogue to end the conflict.—
Matthew Bodner,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
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Lee has made peace overtures since taking office in June, saying dialog with Pyongyang was necessary, and has proposed steps to build confidence and eventually end the North’s nuclear program.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Preliminaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminaries. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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