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 demonstrator aircraft, a prelude to the company’s commercial jet — dubbed the Overture — accelerated to Mach 1.05 within about 11 minutes of taking off, according to the company and a live video of the test flight.
—
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence the administration is weakening our defenses as a prelude to a power grab.
—Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Earlier this month, the administration began targeting the nonprofit status of Harvard University, which could be a prelude to a broader effort to eliminate the tax-exempt status for other nonprofit organizations that the administration has clashed with.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Hegseth may not know that the U.S. suffered twice as many casualties as the Spanish in that long-ago battle, the prelude to a needless and costly war of aggression.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence the administration is weakening our defenses as a prelude to a power grab.
—Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Earlier this month, the administration began targeting the nonprofit status of Harvard University, which could be a prelude to a broader effort to eliminate the tax-exempt status for other nonprofit organizations that the administration has clashed with.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Hegseth may not know that the U.S. suffered twice as many casualties as the Spanish in that long-ago battle, the prelude to a needless and costly war of aggression.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
In just 14 pages, the prologue represents everything AIs can’t do yet in writing.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
-
The prologue to the course features BBC Maestro Chief Executive Michael Levine and Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard, chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Ltd., explaining the care put into the series.—
Mary McNamara,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
The man whose voyages led to the introduction of Western European civilization and culture to a new world and who was once considered a genius and a hero is now shunned by the likes of history revisionists.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
-
Once that guidance or those introductions are made, take the next steps that are needed, such as scheduling mentoring and pitch deck review sessions, and following up with an industry introduction.—
Karen Cashion,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Early preliminaries will air on ESPN+, Disney+, and UFC Fight Pass starting at 6 p.m. ET.—
Jim Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Late preliminaries available on ESPN+, ESPN, Disney+, and ESPN Deportes at 8 p.m. ET.—
Jim Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The funeral of Pope Francis: Even in death, Pope Francis is breaking with tradition for his funeral and burial Prior to his hospitalization, Pope Francis wrote about death in the preface of a book on old age by Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
On Tuesday, April 22, the Vatican shared a preface that Francis wrote for a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop emeritus of Milan.—
Adam Carlson,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
America Great Again movement, more seasoned politically-minded people and groups will be hesitant to take these overtures seriously.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
Its Commerce Ministry said Beijing is evaluating overtures from the U.S. regarding the levies.—
Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic wrote the foreword, while Van Morrison, Alice Cooper, Patti Smith and others join members of the Doors’ camp in offering commentary throughout the book.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
14 May 2025
-
In his gorgeous first book penned by his partner Tim Johnson with a glowing foreword by Martha Stewart, readers get to revel in the thoughtful beauty of Fernando’s gardens.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share