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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prelude
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
So the busking in New Orleans served as a prelude to your busking in New York.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 31 Dec. 2024
The current system could be a possible prelude to a full voucher program, which is up for debate now in the Legislature.
—Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 30 Jan. 2025
At times, the session, which lasted over five hours, seemed to be a prelude to the as-yet unscheduled confirmation hearings for Kash Patel, Mr. Trump’s pick to run the F.B.I., which is part of the Justice Department.
—Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prelude 
John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
So the busking in New Orleans served as a prelude to your busking in New York.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 31 Dec. 2024
The current system could be a possible prelude to a full voucher program, which is up for debate now in the Legislature.
—Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 30 Jan. 2025
At times, the session, which lasted over five hours, seemed to be a prelude to the as-yet unscheduled confirmation hearings for Kash Patel, Mr. Trump’s pick to run the F.B.I., which is part of the Justice Department.
—Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
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If the past is prologue, the DeepSeek development will be seized upon by some as rationale for eliminating domestic oversight and allowing Big Tech to become more powerful.—
Tom Wheeler,
TIME,
30 Jan. 2025
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As promised, the first half of the movie, with its grim journey through the decades, turns out to be a prologue to the story of the teenage Noor’s fate.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Though there are some free parking lots behind several of the businesses on both sides of Branch Street, Price said the introduction of more private parking nearby and barrier dining space has slowed some of the foot traffic through her door.—
Joan Lynch,
Sacramento Bee,
7 Feb. 2025
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Changes to notification processes began immediately and were implemented over the years, including the 2018 introduction of alerts being sent to cell phones.—
Steve Koester,
Twin Cities,
7 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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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
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Ralph Ellison heavily annotated his copy of the novel’s preface.—
Max Chapnick,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Iranians, too, seem to be open to another diplomatic overture.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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The overtures have created new alliances on Capitol Hill. O’Brien, working with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), encouraged Trump to nominate Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a pro-union Republican, for labor secretary.—
David Sivak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This comes out in the very first page of the foreword by Dr. Julia Nesheiwat.—
Roger Huang,
Forbes,
26 Sep. 2024
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The foreword is by David Lehman, a poet and critic born in 1948.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near prelude
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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