1
as in prologue
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
an eruption of sectarian violence that proved to be the prelude to all-out civil war
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2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
the musical had a brief prelude to get the audience in the proper mood
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prelude
The glamour and history of Gucci was embedded in the prelude of what’s to come.
—
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
The whole ordeal ended badly — which Powell said was a prelude for what was to come next.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Stepping into one of Arizona's oldest hotels might feel like time traveling to a different era, following the footsteps of famous figures from the past, or a prelude to encountering a ghost.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
This Prime case is a prelude to the FTC's second and sweeping lawsuit that has accused Amazon of functioning as a monopoly.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
The whole ordeal ended badly — which Powell said was a prelude for what was to come next.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Stepping into one of Arizona's oldest hotels might feel like time traveling to a different era, following the footsteps of famous figures from the past, or a prelude to encountering a ghost.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
This Prime case is a prelude to the FTC's second and sweeping lawsuit that has accused Amazon of functioning as a monopoly.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
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If past is prologue, the longer a shutdown drags on, the more pain Americans will start to feel.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
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Yet Lupino brings such intensity and anger to her performance that the film’s register shifts into something far darker — so dark, in fact, that a prologue and epilogue Jack Warner insisted be added to make the movie more glamorous focus on a suicide attempt!—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Hill previously competed in a battle royal back in May, but this upcoming appearance would serve as his formal introduction to the roster.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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OpenAI’s Altman said Tuesday that web browsers had not seen significant innovation since the introduction of tabs, a feature that dates back to the early 2000s.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Galvin’s spokesperson said the issue was not related with the city’s administration of the preliminary.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Or at least that is what Thorkelín said in the preface to his edition, when it was finally published in 1815 (along with a Latin translation).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
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And to preface, these are optional.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Christmas Eve 1776 found Temple at Versailles, the ideal messenger for a sensitive, exploratory overture to the French minister of foreign affairs.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
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But with a combative Trump questioning the very purpose of the UN at his speech before the General Assembly, Beijing has an international audience that may be more receptive to its overtures.—
JEFFREY PRESCOTT,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An article published by the wrestling news outlet Slam Wrestling in the days after Rocky's death claimed that Rocky's co-author never spoke with Dwayne about the book and that his audio interviews with Rocky featured the late wrestler giving him permission to write a foreword as Dwayne.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
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There’s even a foreword by the legendary food author Mollie Katzen, who wrote 1977’s Moosewood Cookbook — a staple in every vegetarian household — which really seals the deal.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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