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
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Recent Examples of prologue
If past is prologue, those folks will be paying their fair share somewhere else.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2025
Read on for an exclusive excerpt from the prologue of The Secret Book Society.
London, England
June 1895
Clara Chambers, the Countess of Duxbury, entered her drawing room and considered the urchin who’d demanded to be seen at once.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
In a turning point already previewed in a prologue, Mickey’s 17th iteration crashes down an icy crevasse with the thermals and comms on his suit busted.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
If the past is prologue, the future will feature considerable instability.
—Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2025
Read on for an exclusive excerpt from the prologue of The Secret Book Society.
London, England
June 1895
Clara Chambers, the Countess of Duxbury, entered her drawing room and considered the urchin who’d demanded to be seen at once.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
In a turning point already previewed in a prologue, Mickey’s 17th iteration crashes down an icy crevasse with the thermals and comms on his suit busted.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
If the past is prologue, the future will feature considerable instability.
—Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prologue
Noun
-
The city’s live music series, presented by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, is a prelude to summer, bringing Sacramento natives and visitors together to celebrate and support the local talent produced in Sacramento.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacbee.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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This investigation is a likely prelude to Trump’s tariffs to come.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Despite the introduction of supposedly carbon-neutral fuel next year, hybrid powertrains are why companies like Audi and Cadillac are joining and why Honda is coming back.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
21 Apr. 2025
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With kind permission from Cluny Media, the new introduction to Crawford’s Don Orsino (1892) ...—
Stephen Schmalhofer,
National Review,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Early preliminaries will air on ESPN+, Disney+, and UFC Fight Pass starting at 6 p.m. ET.—
Jim Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
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Late preliminaries available on ESPN+, ESPN, Disney+, and ESPN Deportes at 8 p.m. ET.—
Jim Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Chase Freedom Unlimited® CNBC Select Rating 5 Learn More On Chase’s site CNBC Select Rating 5 Learn More On Chase’s site Spotlight New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
29 Apr. 2025
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The Private Life of Henry VIII (presented in conjunction with a tribute to the BFI); 1925’s Harold Lloyd classic The Freshman; 1930’s Morocco and the Marx Brothers’ Animal Crackers; and 1935’s Diamond Jim (with an intro from Leonard Maltin, who keeps the torch burning for early cinema).—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prologue. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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