Definition of prelusivenext
as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows after a prelusive dimming of the house lights intended to induce quiet, the stage curtain rose

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelusive
Adjective
  • The Joint Budget Committee’s half-dozen members finished their extensive preparatory work on the annual spending plan last week.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
  • But diplomatic protocol ahead of a presidential visit to China usually sees either the US secretary of state or the national security advisor make a preparatory trip too, and that did not happen.
    Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Court records show she was arrested Tuesday and was ordered to be temporarily detained in jail ahead of a preliminary hearing on April 13.
    Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israel’s surprise barrage of airstrikes on Wednesday killed 303 people and wounded about 1,150 others, in a preliminary toll.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The school announced Malone’s hiring on Tuesday and scheduled an introductory news conference for later in the day.
    Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The school announced Malone's hiring on Tuesday and scheduled an introductory news conference for later in the day.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
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

“Prelusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelusive. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster