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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prelude
In an interview with Politico on Monday, Caruso denied that the non-profit is a prelude to a new campaign.
—
Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
The early legal jousts over the executive order could also be a prelude to other efforts, in Congress or via a constitutional amendment, to reform birthright citizenship.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025
As a tour prelude, Wallen will also appear at his inaugural Sand In My Boots Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, from May 16-18.
—Marcus K. Dowling, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Trump faces a pivotal decision: redoubling American support for Ukraine to prevent strategic humiliation or risking a Russian victory that would only serve as a prelude to continued aggression in Eastern Europe.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
The early legal jousts over the executive order could also be a prelude to other efforts, in Congress or via a constitutional amendment, to reform birthright citizenship.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025
As a tour prelude, Wallen will also appear at his inaugural Sand In My Boots Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, from May 16-18.
—Marcus K. Dowling, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Trump faces a pivotal decision: redoubling American support for Ukraine to prevent strategic humiliation or risking a Russian victory that would only serve as a prelude to continued aggression in Eastern Europe.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
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Following the prologue in Syria, Grant’s script jumps between three different time periods, with the 1943 POW scenes providing the spine.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Feb. 2025
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Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is tough for beginners, especially given that Henry is left with no armor or weapons to defend himself with after the prologue.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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An example of unintentional spread is the introduction of fire ants in Mobile, Alabama, about 100 years ago.—
Alan Clemons,
Outdoor Life,
20 Feb. 2025
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But as explained in the introduction above, wealthy taxpayers have had and likely will have an array of financial and tax strategies to access wealth without necessarily triggering income taxes.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And just by being around his Team Canada teammates, Crosby is doing what Iginla and others did for him back in 2010, when Canada lost to the U.S. in the preliminaries and beat it in the gold medal game.—
Arpon Basu,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Sophomore Charlie Cutts was the only Saber to make the finals (top eight) in an individual event from the preliminaries Feb. 21.—
Tom Schardin,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Inception Startups Program at Nvidia Israel, in his preface to the SNC report.—
Gil Press,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
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Injuries weren’t the Lions’ only problem Let’s preface this section by acknowledging that the Lions’ defense was decimated by injuries before the game and then lost starting corner Amik Robertson early in the contest.—
Ted Nguyen,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren, the film was a huge spectacle, running more than three hours with an overture and intermission and costing $6 million to make.—
Rhett Bartlett,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Feb. 2025
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Italy's second-largest lender posted fourth-quarter net profit that beat expectations amid market focus on the bank's M&A overtures.—
Ganesh Rao,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The upcoming release, which will hit shelves this fall from Abrams Books for Young Readers, also features a foreword by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
21 Feb. 2025
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This excerpt is reprinted from the book, which also features a foreword by Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.—
Eric Nehm,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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