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
This was the prelude to Kelce’s 13th NFL season.
—
Jesse Newell, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The gathering was a prelude to both the private service for Jackson's family and another commemoration.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
That was just a prelude of an incredible ending in which the Red Devils won the final four events of the meet, breaking state records in three of them.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
The massacre was a prelude to war.
—Scott Pelley, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Jesse Newell, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The gathering was a prelude to both the private service for Jackson's family and another commemoration.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
That was just a prelude of an incredible ending in which the Red Devils won the final four events of the meet, breaking state records in three of them.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
The massacre was a prelude to war.
—Scott Pelley, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
The Triennial is typically preceded by a prologue, taking place a year before the main exhibition.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Mar. 2026
-
La Fontaine’s fable runs to 44 lines; after the infernal prologue, the remaining 40 sketch the fortunes of Hell’s two daughters.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the medium has evolved throughout history, never more so than in recent decades with the introduction of digital tools that can rapidly render complex forms.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The 98th Oscars will also see the introduction of a new prize, Best Casting, which is the first new category to be added to the Academy Awards in more than 20 years.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The hockey playoffs weren’t affected by the storm and are expected to start on March 2 with Division II preliminaries.—
Jacob Rousseau,
The Providence Journal,
26 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
And that long preface to editing isn’t helping, Bill Pullman notwithstanding.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
No deals materialized despite the Sussexes’ overtures.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Shortly before launching his solo career in 1972, Thompson politely declined Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s overtures to join what soon became the Eagles.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
My Jamaican Table, his first book (Springsteen wrote the foreword), is a mouth-watering mix of traditional classic dishes like oxtail with rice and peas, and curry chicken alongside modern spins on American classics, like his signature jerk smashburger with bacon jam.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This May, the 50th anniversary edition of the book—revamped with a new foreword by culinary historian and journalist Toni Tipton-Martin—will be released.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
