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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prelude
Chopin's major piano works include mazurkas, waltzes, nocturnes, polonaises, the instrumental ballade (which Chopin created as an instrumental genre), études, impromptus, scherzi, preludes, and sonatas, some published only posthumously.
—
New Atlas, 9 June 2025
That served as a prelude to Tim Anderson smashing his own two-run shot off Zack Britton in the bottom of the inning to send the White Sox home winners.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025
And treat every phase not as prelude to the final answer but as a source of directional learning.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The Federalists believed that Jeffersonian newspapers were printing pro-French propaganda as a prelude to a full-fledged French invasion and that Democratic-Republicans may have been collaborating with the French government.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
New Atlas, 9 June 2025
That served as a prelude to Tim Anderson smashing his own two-run shot off Zack Britton in the bottom of the inning to send the White Sox home winners.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025
And treat every phase not as prelude to the final answer but as a source of directional learning.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The Federalists believed that Jeffersonian newspapers were printing pro-French propaganda as a prelude to a full-fledged French invasion and that Democratic-Republicans may have been collaborating with the French government.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
While there was a very nice prologue anime done by Satelight that set the tone of the narrative, the game’s eventual story was just plain confusing.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
However, soon after this prologue, an entire year passes without an official answer, leaving them in social and financial limbo.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Make introductions between contacts who could benefit from knowing each other.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
However, some parents are opting to do a spin on the push present approach by gifting their first child before making the sibling introduction.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Sports High School Sports News See who qualified from Thursday's preliminaries for the CIFSS Division 1 finals on Saturday at Mt. SAC.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
8 May 2025
-
And this month, he was seeded No. 1 in the Division II 50-yard freestyle at CIF and won in the preliminaries before being edged in the finals by 0.05 seconds.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
The funeral of Pope Francis: Even in death, Pope Francis is breaking with tradition for his funeral and burial Prior to his hospitalization, Pope Francis wrote about death in the preface of a book on old age by Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
On Tuesday, April 22, the Vatican shared a preface that Francis wrote for a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop emeritus of Milan.—
Adam Carlson,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His allies have since reportedly made overtures to the White House for a pardon from President Trump, who has not openly ruled out clemency for the ex-senator.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
17 June 2025
-
The statement follows speculation about a possible pardon after Menendez's allies reportedly made multiple overtures to the administration.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Richard O’Brien, who wrote the musical stage show in 1973, wrote the foreword for the book.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2025
-
Kennedy wrote the foreword to Lies My Gov’t Told Me and wrote an endorsement for PsyWar, alleging that the same techniques that the Malones described shaped public reaction to the assassinations of his father and uncle.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share