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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prelude
The prelude to Sunday might have come in the last hour — two groups finishing two holes.
—
Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
In Puerto Rico, watch parties treated the game as a prelude.
—Martin Silva Rey, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Scented steam rooms clad in amethyst tiles are a welcome prelude to transformational treatments by some of the best therapists in Athens (ask for Mara).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
In Puerto Rico, watch parties treated the game as a prelude.
—Martin Silva Rey, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Scented steam rooms clad in amethyst tiles are a welcome prelude to transformational treatments by some of the best therapists in Athens (ask for Mara).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
Winners will be announced in a ceremony on Friday, April 17 at USC’s Bovard Auditorium, a prologue to the 31st annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, taking place April 18-19.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Then our couple from the prologue, Billie (Isabel DeRoy-Olson) and Albert (William Hope) pull up to the trading post, looking for a map.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Davidson himself attended the BAFTA Awards and his frequent, involuntary outbursts punctuated host Alan Cumming’s introduction and several of the early award presentations.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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All the chaos in the game, including Alexis Mac Allister’s late chances and stoppage-time winner, followed Ngumoha’s introduction.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Switzerland crushed Germany in the men’s curling preliminaries, keeping a consistent lead before ending the game with a score of 8-4.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, the men’s hockey teams continue to navigate the preliminaries after a later start to their tournament.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In his preface of the American Legion’s Junior Baseball for 1938 program, Chaillaux noted that 500,000 boys participated in Legion ball.—
Bill Swank,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Colbert opened his Monday night broadcast with a preface in light of Reiner’s death, as well as the shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The three also had divergent views on taxpayer assistance on efforts to retain the Chicago Bears in Illinois amid overtures from Indiana.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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But, until today, its overtures have been rebuffed outright by WBD.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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My favorite story about how artists make something out of nothing appears in her foreword to Beloved.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
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Justice Elena Kagan even gave it a nod in her foreword.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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