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
Even if change doesn’t happen now, Power said, the mid-decade redistricting battle could be a prelude to the regular redistricting cycle that will kick off after the 2030 census results are finalized.
—
Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
For Sienna, the season was a prelude to greater things to come.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Or merely the prelude to yet more drama in the final few weeks of the season?
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
And anything that has occurred before is usually a prelude to positives that can’t yet be seen.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
For Sienna, the season was a prelude to greater things to come.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Or merely the prelude to yet more drama in the final few weeks of the season?
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
And anything that has occurred before is usually a prelude to positives that can’t yet be seen.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
Her rock-climbing skills also come in handy when she’s trapped in a narrow gorge, and soon after when a hairy ascent provides echoes of the prologue.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Past is, of course, not always prologue.—
Tony Wood,
The Conversation,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the last international break, when Germany faced Ghana in Stuttgart, the crowd at the Neckarstadion spent much of the evening chanting for Undav’s introduction from the bench.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
This 62%-off cotton quilt set is a sunny introduction to the brand and an easy way to integrate some of that homey charm into your space.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tickets to the mixed archery preliminary set me back $110 each, then $85 each for the mixed equestrian preliminary.—
Personal Finance Columnist,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The hockey playoffs weren’t affected by the storm and are expected to start on March 2 with Division II preliminaries.—
Jacob Rousseau,
The Providence Journal,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The volume collects work from the last decade, each with a brief preface from the author, giving us a puncture of the present into her words of the past.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The preface by historian Abul Fazl frames the work as a reconciliatory project.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For much of the past decade, Gulf states — led by Saudi Arabia — have tried to do exactly that, using diplomatic overtures and economic incentives to stabilize Iraq and draw it back into the Arab fold.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
After rebuffing numerous overtures from other teams seeking general managers, DeCosta finally took over after the 2018 season.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His former roles include FBI Special Agent and SWAT Team member; Deputy Director of the California Office of Homeland Security under Arnold Schwarzenegger, who provides a foreword in the memoir; and Chief of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
-
What’s a bigger flex than Kim Kardashian writing the foreword to your first book?—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
