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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prelude
The talk will be preceded by an inspirational piano prelude beginning at 10:30 a.m.
—
Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Is the gradual pace of legal change prelude to its sudden transformation?
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Is the gradual pace of legal change prelude to its sudden transformation?
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
If the past is prologue, the future will feature considerable instability.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
-
If past is prologue, this approach could allow the Islamic Republic to frame any conflict with United States not as a struggle for regime survival but as a sovereign nation’s resistance against external coercion.—
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Batson, a Nashville native who moved to Alabama as a child, got an introduction to music at an early age.—
Pam Windsor,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
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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
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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
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The preface begins at 6 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 7:30.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
His overtures have been rebuffed over the years, but his efforts continue.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2025
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So far, though, Biden’s overtures have fallen flat, NBC News reported.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The book’s foreword, written by Nikki Giovanni, encapsulates the power of Black bookstores.—
Jameelah Nasheed,
Essence,
4 Mar. 2025
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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
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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