as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
in prefatory remarks he offered his own definition of "civilization", a word subject to a variety of interpretations
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Recent Examples of prefatory
Despite some discouraging downward trends, all the prefatory jawing could go a long way toward siphoning off a fair number of viewers who might otherwise be locked in on the NFL.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The prefatory pause gives the audience a chance to applaud a starry ensemble.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The prefatory pause gives the audience a chance to applaud a starry ensemble.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prefatory
Adjective
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Pacific Ridge School, an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school in Carlsbad, started its 19th academic year with the Annual Trustee Dinner.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
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Those preparatory projects included the installation of new capping roofs to weatherproof the buildings for a long period of care and maintenance, as well as the rerouting of electrical supplies and de-planting of boiler equipment.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Onward and upward By the end of its introductory episodes, Dispatch has successfully employed the traditional two-part pilot structure most sitcoms need to lay their groundwork.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
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Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Police said a preliminary investigation indicated that following the initial collision between the Chevrolet Camero and Ford Fusion, the semi-truck hit the Camaro in the rear.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Ellis has ordered Bovino be deposed in the case and a preliminary injunction hearing is set for November 5.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prefatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prefatory. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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