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
The book, published in November 2017, was a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and evolved into the big-draw American Promise tour, a prelude in the eyes of many to Biden’s successful 2020 run for the White House.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on the same day that Ukraine would have to concede Crimea, an area of Ukraine that was seized by Russia in 2014 in a prelude to the current conflict, and its aspirations to NATO membership in order to reach a peace agreement.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
The new ongoing series will launch with a 10-page prelude by Slott and Albuquerque in DC All In 2025 FCBD Special Edition No. 1 on May 3 as part of DC’s Free Comic Book Day programming.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles are locked into the NFC’s No. 2 seed, and their coach, Nick Sirianni, spent the final days of 2024 deciding whether Barkley would sit out an inconsequential playoff prelude.
—Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on the same day that Ukraine would have to concede Crimea, an area of Ukraine that was seized by Russia in 2014 in a prelude to the current conflict, and its aspirations to NATO membership in order to reach a peace agreement.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
The new ongoing series will launch with a 10-page prelude by Slott and Albuquerque in DC All In 2025 FCBD Special Edition No. 1 on May 3 as part of DC’s Free Comic Book Day programming.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles are locked into the NFC’s No. 2 seed, and their coach, Nick Sirianni, spent the final days of 2024 deciding whether Barkley would sit out an inconsequential playoff prelude.
—Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
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Intentionally or not, these gestures and statements normalize racial hatred, which is the prologue to the kind of racial violence that led to some of humanity’s worst atrocities.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
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This film is almost like a prologue to a zombie movie — showing the world collapsing around the protagonist before the apocalypse begins.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Today, pediatricians generally recommend earlier introduction to prevent food allergies.—
Matthew Perrone,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
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Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is again raising eyebrows amongst the paper’s staff with the introduction of an AI-powered feature that analyzes stories for their political viewpoint.—
Katie Kilkenny,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Mar. 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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The preface begins at 6 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 7:30.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2025
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Inception Startups Program at Nvidia Israel, in his preface to the SNC report.—
Gil Press,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The alignment of the ambassadors, seated to the president's far left, has been upended by Trump's determination to end the war in Ukraine, with friendly overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin and an Oval Office brawl Friday that sent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy packing.—
Susan Page,
USA TODAY,
2 Mar. 2025
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This policy overture is just one in a slew of immigration crackdown policies and Executive Orders that the Trump Administration has put forth.—
Rebecca Schneid,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The upcoming release, which will hit shelves this fall from Abrams Books for Young Readers, also features a foreword by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
21 Feb. 2025
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This excerpt is reprinted from the book, which also features a foreword by Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.—
Eric Nehm,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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