1
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
the round of hors d'oeuvres was merely the preamble to an evening of lavish feasting
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
an insightful analysis of the preamble to the Constitution of the United States
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preamble
Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor kicked off the ceremony with a brief speech thanking the audience, both in person and those watching the livestream, while providing a preamble that gestured at the ongoing conversations about the role of AI in film.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
What Shyne focuses on in this quiet, experiential preamble is not the who, the where, or the why of this person’s passing.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2026
The rest were preambles or dead ends.
—Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
His victory in November was widely seen as a preamble to deregulation, with broadcasters set to benefit.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preamble
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
What Shyne focuses on in this quiet, experiential preamble is not the who, the where, or the why of this person’s passing.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2026
The rest were preambles or dead ends.
—Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
His victory in November was widely seen as a preamble to deregulation, with broadcasters set to benefit.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
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As a prelude to a lunar landing, the flight was an important step in testing the flight trajectory and operations before astronauts stepped foot on the moon's surface.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
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Like the last time the Pioneers won the Frozen Faceoff in 2024, when DU went on to capture its record 10th national title, the victory could be a prelude to something much greater.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The day began with introductions in a garage attached to the gym.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Before the introduction of meta glasses, Huston would record his POV videos using the Snapchat Spectacle glasses.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The hockey playoffs weren’t affected by the storm and are expected to start on March 2 with Division II preliminaries.—
Jacob Rousseau,
The Providence Journal,
26 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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And that long preface to editing isn’t helping, Bill Pullman notwithstanding.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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My Jamaican Table, his first book (Springsteen wrote the foreword), is a mouth-watering mix of traditional classic dishes like oxtail with rice and peas, and curry chicken alongside modern spins on American classics, like his signature jerk smashburger with bacon jam.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
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This May, the 50th anniversary edition of the book—revamped with a new foreword by culinary historian and journalist Toni Tipton-Martin—will be released.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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