PRELUDES Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

preludes

noun

plural of prelude

as in prologues

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

as in prefaces

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 preludes By her own admission, the preludes and parallels of a musical composition are woven into the very structure of the novel. — Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preludes

Noun

His music put melody and relatability ahead of acrobatics, and his overtures still had swagger.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
The protests came ahead of next month’s snap election as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist Party criticized the conservative opposition Popular Party for making overtures about privatizing public pensions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of overtures

Noun

This year’s Miss World competition recently made headlines during the preliminaries when Ugandan delegate Elle Muhoza made a powerful fashion statement.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
But all of that was just the preliminaries for Grady Emerson.

— John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026

Definition of preliminaries

Noun

As the main story gets under way, there’s barely enough time for Livingston, Bilson and Jewkes to deliver their expository introductions before Mark almost plows into Santa, setting an ominous tone for their move to the suburbs.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
In the introductions, some editors made explicit connections between the prewar pinkes and those created in the wake of the Holocaust.

— Jennifer Rich, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of introductions

Noun

Sonny Rollins, who died the month before the volume came out, and Kurt Elling contribute forewords and afterwords.

— Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of forewords

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prelude

preludes

prelusive

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Style

“Preludes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preludes. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of preludes

noun

Example Sentences

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