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
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This rosé is all about coastal herbs, grapefruit pith, white peach and sea spray, Landa prefaces.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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South Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged North Korea to respond to Seoul's peace overtures and efforts to reduce tensions in a press briefing on Tuesday.—
Joyce Lee,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
-
Advertisement Some Shia figures made overtures to Washington and distanced themselves from the attacks, but other militias like Kataib Hezbollah are unflinching, promising to fight on.—
Nabil Salih,
Time,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Some people booed her during lineup introductions.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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Suddenly there were dedicated sales teams, communications staff, artist liaisons, showings at art fairs, and introductions to collectors around the world.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
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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.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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Tennyson never made it to the Southern Section track preliminaries after winning the league title.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Preludes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preludes. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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