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
This was the second of five group-stage games to be held here, a collective prelude to the July 1 main event (Round of 32).
—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Nearby the Kennedy Center earlier on Friday, UFC held a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial, a prelude to the cage match at the White House on Sunday, held in a giant makeshift arena.
—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
In Germany itself, references to the Weimar Republic, the fragile democracy that preceded Hitler’s rise to power, are a staple of public debate as an unmistakable prelude-to-Hitler warning.
—
Katja Hoyer,
Washington Post,
9 June 2026
There was something absurd and distressing in that prelude to the domestic drama.
—
Andrea Bajani,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Nearby the Kennedy Center earlier on Friday, UFC held a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial, a prelude to the cage match at the White House on Sunday, held in a giant makeshift arena.
—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
In Germany itself, references to the Weimar Republic, the fragile democracy that preceded Hitler’s rise to power, are a staple of public debate as an unmistakable prelude-to-Hitler warning.
—
Katja Hoyer,
Washington Post,
9 June 2026
There was something absurd and distressing in that prelude to the domestic drama.
—
Andrea Bajani,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
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But the recent past need not be prologue.
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This Cannes Directors’ Fortnight prizewinner sets out its pitch-black-comic stall early with a prologue in which, after a brief contretemps, local man Raoul Brun (Jean-Louis Coulloc’h) blows his supercilious neighbor’s head off with a shotgun and then disappears.
Noun
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In 2023, net migration was just under 950,000, an all-time high, as immigration by non-EU citizens spiked before dropping sharply with the introduction of new policies.
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The introduction of more advanced video games since the early 2000s has even been cited as a cause for men working fewer hours.
Noun
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The meet continues Thursday, a day consisting largely of women’s preliminaries, followed by men’s finals Friday and women’s finals Saturday.
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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.
Noun
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In the preface of her new book, MJ Corey offers a note of apology for pouring so much energy into analyzing a family that’s famously famous for being famous, and for little else, said Megan Garber in The Atlantic.
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The book arrives on the scene six years before Wordsworth’s preface to the Lyrical Ballads (considered the first Romantic manifesto).
Noun
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Despite the fact that American leaders paid scant attention to his initial overture, Sultan Muhammad pursued the relationship further.
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Antonio, who has remained on good terms with Rochelle (and lives near the Hinkles in South Florida), supported Alex’s passion for the beautiful game while fending off overtures from football coaches.
Noun
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The book, co-authored by Darren Grubb and Johnny Russo, featured a foreword by Letterman.
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Also, writing a foreword is a much healthier way to express enthusiasm than showing up at Lauren's house unannounced.
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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