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
Finally, the issue will feature a prelude of IDW’s relaunch of Star Trek with a tale by writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Isaac Sanchez.
—
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
The race is a prelude to the Preakness, featuring 3-year-old fillies (female race horses).
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
But the June ballot isn’t just a prelude to November — some races will be decided with it.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Other aldermen quickly fired back after Tabares’ speech, a prelude to potential disagreement ahead of the final vote later this month.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
The race is a prelude to the Preakness, featuring 3-year-old fillies (female race horses).
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
But the June ballot isn’t just a prelude to November — some races will be decided with it.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Other aldermen quickly fired back after Tabares’ speech, a prelude to potential disagreement ahead of the final vote later this month.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
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One of them, The Eight Hundred, details an important battle during the Second Sino-Japanese War (something of a prologue to WWII), in which Chinese forces defended a strategic warehouse along the river in Shanghai, in full view of Western nations reporting from the opposite bank.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
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In the case of small-cap stocks ($250 million market cap or less), past is prologue.—
David Capablanca,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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An edible garden by landscape designer Lily Kwong offers overseas travelers an introduction to local plants, like the butterfly pea flower, which is commonly used in Peranakan cuisine, and fragrant pandan, which is harvested for use in some of the hotel’s food and drinks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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The introduction of online gaming might just be the catalyst the Lottery needs to jumpstart overall sales.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Hernandez, now a Southern Section champion again, along with all the other winners will move onto the CIF preliminaries next Saturday to face the rest of the state's top female jumpers, with a chance to get back to the state finals.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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Tennyson never made it to the Southern Section track preliminaries after winning the league title.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
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In her preface, Corey offers a note of apology for the topic at hand, quoting the author David Sinclair—who, in writing about the Spice Girls, observed that his subject would require him to defend the group’s honor and his own.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
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As a preface, the conclusion here, deciphered from the scene by this author, was a plea for Giannis Antetokounmpo.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Noun
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The visit will be Xi’s first to North Korea since 2019, and the latest overture from Beijing to warm a historical but often complicated relationship with its neighbor.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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After accepting the role, Abdul-Mateen extended an overture to build a rapport offscreen in service of their onscreen relationship, but much to his surprise, Kingsley rebuffed the offer.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Featuring forewords by Beccari and K-pop star Felix, the coffee table tome will be available from June in all Louis Vuitton stores priced at $185, with sales also benefiting UNICEF.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
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The book carried blurbs from prominent journalists, including Nicholas Thompson, The Atlantic’s chief executive, and a foreword by Maria Ressa, the Nobel Peace Prize–winning reporter from the Philippines.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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