1
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
2
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preludes
Noun
-
This rosé is all about coastal herbs, grapefruit pith, white peach and sea spray, Landa prefaces.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The two countries did made tentative overtures in the late 1990s, when Iranians were electing politicians on promises of greater personal freedom and openness.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Despite his positive words about the regime, which is practically unchanged save Maduro’s absence, in the last few days Trump has made overtures to María Corina Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader who was barred from running in Venezuela’s 2024 general election.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Even sometimes effecting personal introductions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Tatum Bethune #48 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field during team introductions before an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers on January 3, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
21 Nov. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Preludes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preludes. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
