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
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Recent Examples of prologue
Both men served as a prologue of sorts.
—
Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Advertisement The show also falls prey to a few unfortunate streaming-era trends, from a penultimate flashback episode that delays the payoff of a cliffhanger by filling in backstory of questionable utility, to a scantness of plot that makes the whole short season feel like an overgrown prologue.
—Judy Berman, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
After a prologue suggesting that creepy things were happening at a government lab, the pilot was mostly introducing viewers to a group of nerdy friends who would soon be joined by a mysterious telekinetic girl with short hair in Hawkins, Indiana, circa 1983.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Jan. 2026
The novel is divided into three parts, the first of which is an extended prologue recounting Catt’s upbringing in a small blue-collar town in Connecticut.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Advertisement The show also falls prey to a few unfortunate streaming-era trends, from a penultimate flashback episode that delays the payoff of a cliffhanger by filling in backstory of questionable utility, to a scantness of plot that makes the whole short season feel like an overgrown prologue.
—Judy Berman, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
After a prologue suggesting that creepy things were happening at a government lab, the pilot was mostly introducing viewers to a group of nerdy friends who would soon be joined by a mysterious telekinetic girl with short hair in Hawkins, Indiana, circa 1983.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Jan. 2026
The novel is divided into three parts, the first of which is an extended prologue recounting Catt’s upbringing in a small blue-collar town in Connecticut.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prologue
Noun
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This self-mocking move may be just the prelude to a fuller jeans-guy renaissance, Heffernan suggested.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
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Experts view these displays as a prelude to deploying robots in factories and logistics centers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Davidson himself attended the BAFTA Awards and his frequent, involuntary outbursts punctuated host Alan Cumming’s introduction and several of the early award presentations.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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All the chaos in the game, including Alexis Mac Allister’s late chances and stoppage-time winner, followed Ngumoha’s introduction.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Switzerland crushed Germany in the men’s curling preliminaries, keeping a consistent lead before ending the game with a score of 8-4.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
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Lower‑demand preliminaries will likely be the most affordable, while high‑profile events—gymnastics finals, swimming finals, track and field, and the opening ceremony—will sit at the top end of the pricing spectrum.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In his preface of the American Legion’s Junior Baseball for 1938 program, Chaillaux noted that 500,000 boys participated in Legion ball.—
Bill Swank,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Colbert opened his Monday night broadcast with a preface in light of Reiner’s death, as well as the shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
My favorite story about how artists make something out of nothing appears in her foreword to Beloved.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
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Justice Elena Kagan even gave it a nod in her foreword.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
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The Blade Angels got a special intro recorded by Taylor Swift to promote the American women’s figure skaters—but faced some heartbreak on the ice.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prologue. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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