1
as in prologue
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
an eruption of sectarian violence that proved to be the prelude to all-out civil war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
the musical had a brief prelude to get the audience in the proper mood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prelude
Irsay has yet to speak on the matter, and if the past is a prelude, that usually means change is coming.
—
Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
The storm will be a prelude to what's expected to be a very cold, potentially stormy stretch of weather for much of the U.S. as the calendar turns to 2025.
Times Square forecast is soggy
New York City, specifically Times Square, is one of the areas that will be soaked by the storm.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024
If the past is prelude, in 2025 many individual investors will trade options heavily.
—Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
The case for mashed potato pizza as the perfect prelude to Christmas Day.
—Sarah Schutte, National Review, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prelude 
Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
The storm will be a prelude to what's expected to be a very cold, potentially stormy stretch of weather for much of the U.S. as the calendar turns to 2025.
Times Square forecast is soggy
New York City, specifically Times Square, is one of the areas that will be soaked by the storm.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024
If the past is prelude, in 2025 many individual investors will trade options heavily.
—Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
The case for mashed potato pizza as the perfect prelude to Christmas Day.
—Sarah Schutte, National Review, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
Besides the prologue, at no point in my preview was I forced to play as either, though how much of that freedom extends to the full game remains to be seen.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
-
The prologue might end with a paroxysm of violence, but first there are a few timid whimpers of nascent pleasure; Bill Skarsgård’s base and primal Count Orlok is a nightmare who arrives on the wings of a nocturnal emission.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
2 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Rodgers’ introduction in the spring of 2023 was full of then-current coaches and teammates.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
The Athletic,
28 Jan. 2025
-
But the bill hasn’t moved forward since its introduction in the Senate in May 2021.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Sponsored by the Miss Montgomery County Organization, the Miss Bethesda’s Teen title serves as a preliminary to the Miss Maryland and Miss America competitions.—
Susan Soldavin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2025
-
The Southern Section held its track and field preliminaries at four sites around Southern California on Saturday, and sophomore Brian Bonner of Valencia High continued his rise to prominence.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2024
Noun
-
The Life of Herod the Great—which includes a preface and introduction written by Hurston and commentary written by Plant—stops at chapter 19.—
Ellen Wexler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Butler's concerns about machine evolution received mixed reactions, according to Butler in the preface to the second edition of Erewhon.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Some, like Meta, seemed to be making overtures to the incoming Trump administration before this week.—
Jason Parham,
WIRED,
24 Jan. 2025
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Todd Belt, political management program director at George Washington University, said this is also an overture to younger voters and could serve as a quick win for Trump on an issue that’s important to a lot of people.—
Cory Smith,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In 2018, her first project as an official member of the royal family was the foreword to a recipe book with west London’s Hubb Community Kitchen, a group of women displaced by the Grenfell fire, enabling them to continue cooking together for survivors twice a week in the aftermath of the tragedy.—
Mina Holland,
Vogue,
11 Jan. 2025
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Pick up the 50th anniversary edition with a new foreword that explains what Watergate means today.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
26 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near prelude
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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