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
An opening scene in a French hotel room serves as a prologue to the tour itself.
—
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prologue
Noun
-
That actually proved the prelude to an even more extraordinary attack on the board in his post-match press conference just 24 hours later, following a 2-1 defeat by Sunderland.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Look what happened last night, that was a prelude to the midterms.—
Rachel Scott,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Dart's teammate, Abdul Carter, reposted the video and appeared to criticize the introduction.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
-
After an introduction by Isabelle Huppert, the multi-hyphenate remembered the cinema near her high school, the Astor, which showed foreign pics from Truffaut, Bergman, Fellini, Kurosawa.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
23 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
-
In her preface, Corey offers a note of apology for the topic at hand, quoting the author David Sinclair—who, in writing about the Spice Girls, observed that his subject would require him to defend the group’s honor and his own.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
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
-
The book carried blurbs from prominent journalists, including Nicholas Thompson, The Atlantic’s chief executive, and a foreword by Maria Ressa, the Nobel Peace Prize–winning reporter from the Philippines.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Balance transfer fee There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
25 May 2026
-
The barrage of 'boos' at driver intros turned into deafening cheers.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prologue. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
