variants
also prolog
1
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
a brief prologue sets the scene for the story that follows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of prologue
Anyone who watched The Handmaid’s Tale — and I’d wager that’s nearly everyone here — knows this, which is what makes its reiteration in the prologue to The Testaments so menacing.
—
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The prologue that opens Ragtime loudly announces the musical’s epic ambitions as its nine fictional characters and six of its historical figures introduce themselves with third-person narration and shout-singing.
—Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
At the close of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (which, incidentally, features an admirable character called Bottom the Weaver), a play is to be performed for Duke Theseus and his bride, the Amazon Hippolyta, with a prologue spoken by the director.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
So, partly by not calling it a prologue and not putting it in italics.
—Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The prologue that opens Ragtime loudly announces the musical’s epic ambitions as its nine fictional characters and six of its historical figures introduce themselves with third-person narration and shout-singing.
—Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
At the close of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (which, incidentally, features an admirable character called Bottom the Weaver), a play is to be performed for Duke Theseus and his bride, the Amazon Hippolyta, with a prologue spoken by the director.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
So, partly by not calling it a prologue and not putting it in italics.
—Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prologue
Noun
-
The California Classic, a July prelude to the more expansive Las Vegas NBA Summer League, has released a schedule that will have a version of the Heat back on the court on July 3.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Their heartfelt hospitality is a prelude to the deeply personal food and drinks to come.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 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
-
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
Noun
-
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
-
After a brief intro from Lionel Richie, another global ambassador of the King’s Trust, Charles took the microphone and spoke about his foundation’s mission, as well as the bond between the United States and the United Kingdom.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prologue. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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