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
Relevance
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
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 preamble
There are staff who are deployed on disaster and humanitarian responses around the world on behalf of the U.S. government, who tonight -- in the last night with no preamble, no warning and no communication -- were kicked off their email, kicked off their U.S. government computer systems.
—
Anna Katharine Ping, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2025
His show jumped right into the comedy, with no glitzy preamble.
—Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
The definition of preamble is: The introductory part of a statute or deed, stating its purpose, aims, and justification.
—Jim Weygand, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Since the time limit was in the preamble to the amendment and not in the text of the amendment itself - much less the text that the states saw and voted on - the seven-year deadline is not binding: a position that Mr. Biden seemed to take himself.
—Eva Epker, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preamble
Anna Katharine Ping, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2025
His show jumped right into the comedy, with no glitzy preamble.
—Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
The definition of preamble is: The introductory part of a statute or deed, stating its purpose, aims, and justification.
—Jim Weygand, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Since the time limit was in the preamble to the amendment and not in the text of the amendment itself - much less the text that the states saw and voted on - the seven-year deadline is not binding: a position that Mr. Biden seemed to take himself.
—Eva Epker, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
-
Indeed, Saudi officials may view their engagement with U.S. officials over Ukraine as the prelude to further diplomatic cooperation.—
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen,
The Conversation,
14 Mar. 2025
-
This is all prelude; the story begins for real with NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And the matchup was only the fifth collegiate game of freshman center Kate Koval’s career, offering her a bruising introduction to playing post against an elite NCAA opponent.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Kings guard Malik Monk was listed as a starter and then announced as part of the starting lineup during pregame introductions Thursday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Her six-game outburst in the state preliminaries screamed of consistency, with no score lower than 217 and none higher than 269.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
-
During the preliminaries on Feb. 28, the Red Devils broke the national record in the 200 medley relay, as Bey teamed with sophomore Luke Vatev, senior Henry Guo and junior Matthew Vatev to time 1 minute, 26.75 seconds.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The preface begins at 6 p.m., followed by the Awards Ceremony at 7:30 p.m.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
25 Mar. 2025
-
The preface begins at 6 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 7:30.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The book’s foreword, written by Nikki Giovanni, encapsulates the power of Black bookstores.—
Jameelah Nasheed,
Essence,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Walker Percy, who helped get the book published after the author killed himself, wrote the foreword.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share