variants
also prolog
1
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
a brief prologue sets the scene for the story that follows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of prologue
Her rock-climbing skills also come in handy when she’s trapped in a narrow gorge, and soon after when a hairy ascent provides echoes of the prologue.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Past is, of course, not always prologue.
—Tony Wood, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
What restraint the film has is mostly to be found in an elegant prologue that ramps up to the first of many resourcefully horrible kills, opening in the recent past on a wholesome Egyptian family taking a rural car trip.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The preview started with the game’s prologue event, an introductory affair Horizon players have come to expect.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prologue
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Past is, of course, not always prologue.
—Tony Wood, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
What restraint the film has is mostly to be found in an elegant prologue that ramps up to the first of many resourcefully horrible kills, opening in the recent past on a wholesome Egyptian family taking a rural car trip.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The preview started with the game’s prologue event, an introductory affair Horizon players have come to expect.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prologue
Noun
-
Finally, the issue will feature a prelude of IDW’s relaunch of Star Trek with a tale by writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Isaac Sanchez.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
-
The race is a prelude to the Preakness, featuring 3-year-old fillies (female race horses).—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Fans serenaded Saiss, who now plays for Qatari side Al Sadd, and showed their appreciation for Jimenez throughout the game on Sunday, even when the Mexico international was simply warming up before his second-half introduction.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
At the entrance, a shelf displays ceramics made by local craftspeople, each piece accompanied by an introduction to the creative who made it.—
Bridget Mills-Powell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Tennyson never made it to the Southern Section track preliminaries after winning the league title.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
As a preface, the conclusion here, deciphered from the scene by this author, was a plea for Giannis Antetokounmpo.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
Trump’s preface opens by celebrating counterterrorism achievements that analysts describe as inflated or lacking in nuance.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Jim Parsons wrote the foreword.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
His former roles include FBI Special Agent and SWAT Team member; Deputy Director of the California Office of Homeland Security under Arnold Schwarzenegger, who provides a foreword in the memoir; and Chief of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The barrage of 'boos' at driver intros turned into deafening cheers.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
-
His intro showed snippets of monologues from just about every late night host to ever do it, from his predecessor, David Letterman, to the late, great Johnny Carson to Arsenio Hall to Joan Rivers.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prologue. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
