Definition of proemnext
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part the proem promises what the book does not deliver: a totally new interpretation of the French Revolution

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proem
Noun
  • Within the same country, a city break can mean seafood and island hopping, a cross-border weekend, centuries of university history or an introduction to life in the Arctic.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This was my introduction, on a hot Tuesday afternoon, to Shimamoto’s peerless ramen.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • What could have been a throwaway nibble instead becomes a thought-through, gripping preface that sets up what’s to come.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • In the preface of her new book, MJ Corey offers a note of apology for pouring so much energy into analyzing a family that’s famously famous for being famous, and for little else, said Megan Garber in The Atlantic.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • The new edition includes previously unseen archival photographs, a new introduction, a personal eulogy for late Smiths bassist Andy Rourke and a foreword from Oasis’ Noel Gallagher.
    SPIN Staff, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The book features previously-unseen archival photography, a new introduction, a personal eulogy for Johnny’s friend and the Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke, and a foreword by Noel Gallagher.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 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.

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Cite this Entry

“Proem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proem. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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