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
Relevance
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
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 prelude
The hole that serves as the prelude to Amen Corner is a long par 4 and is the hardest on the course based on its average score.
—
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
The Par 3 Contest is a family-friendly affair that blends lighthearted fun with competitive spirit, offering a unique prelude to the intense battle for the green jacket.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
That was mere prelude to his most consequential investigation – identifying the Russian officials behind the near-fatal poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
Neither side wants war and both sides appear to treat this as a prelude to negotiations.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
The Par 3 Contest is a family-friendly affair that blends lighthearted fun with competitive spirit, offering a unique prelude to the intense battle for the green jacket.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
That was mere prelude to his most consequential investigation – identifying the Russian officials behind the near-fatal poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
Neither side wants war and both sides appear to treat this as a prelude to negotiations.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
If past is prologue, those folks will be paying their fair share somewhere else.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Read on for an exclusive excerpt from the prologue of The Secret Book Society. London, England June 1895 Clara Chambers, the Countess of Duxbury, entered her drawing room and considered the urchin who’d demanded to be seen at once.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the introduction of supposedly carbon-neutral fuel next year, hybrid powertrains are why companies like Audi and Cadillac are joining and why Honda is coming back.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Dyson Airwrap for $600: The Dyson Airwrap set (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is great, and was my first introduction to a blow-dry brush attachment.—
Nena Farrell,
Wired News,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Late preliminaries available on ESPN+, ESPN, Disney+, and ESPN Deportes at 8 p.m. ET.—
Jim Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
-
While the diving kicked off Thursday, the swimming gets underway with preliminaries on Friday, with the finals for both swimming and diving slated for Saturday.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Writing on the seventieth anniversary of the war’s end, in the preface to his magisterial The German War (2015), Oxford’s Nicholas Stargardt described the book’s genesis a decade earlier, in 2005.—
Chris Doyle,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2025
-
As for Dickinson, his starring roles in Babygirl, The Iron Claw, and Triangle of Sadness preface his take on John Lennon.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Reaction to Trump overtures Reactions to Trump from Greenlanders have shifted over time.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
-
In #diplomacy any such shifting (pushed by hawks who fail to grasp the logic/art of commonsensical deal-making) could simply risk any overtures falling apart.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Construction Nudes 1981-1985 is designed by Sean Adams and edited by Frank Rodriguez with a foreword by Lucas Museum of Narrative Art curator Ryan Linkof, Ph.D.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Zucker kicked things off in the book’s foreword writing about seeing and collecting pointed diamonds from the 15th century and earlier — a point that helped Fasel to unlock a myth that engagement rings are an invention of the 20th century.—
Thomas Waller,
WWD,
16 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share