preludes

plural of prelude
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

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
  • But with a combative Trump questioning the very purpose of the UN at his speech before the General Assembly, Beijing has an international audience that may be more receptive to its overtures.
    JEFFREY PRESCOTT, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Since then, Moscow has expanded its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, while seemingly ignoring his overtures for further dialogue to end the conflict.
    Matthew Bodner, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Okonma — known professionally as Tyler, the Creator — praised Safdie following the introductions.
    Michaela Zee, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Members of the Chicago Cubs stand on the field during player introductions prior to game one of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 04, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The junior cheerleaders got to participate in player intros for the football team and run through the big Falcon head inflatable with their Big Buddies during Friday night’s game.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
  • These intros aren’t always supposed to make sense.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preludes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preludes. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on preludes

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!