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

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Examples 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 Irsay has yet to speak on the matter, and if the past is a prelude, that usually means change is coming. Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025 The storm will be a prelude to what's expected to be a very cold, potentially stormy stretch of weather for much of the U.S. as the calendar turns to 2025. Times Square forecast is soggy New York City, specifically Times Square, is one of the areas that will be soaked by the storm. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024 If the past is prelude, in 2025 many individual investors will trade options heavily. Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 The case for mashed potato pizza as the perfect prelude to Christmas Day. Sarah Schutte, National Review, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prelude 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
  • There was a dividing line at ’65 and everything onward was a prologue to the ’70s.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Unfortunately nothing really works with Sanders’ latest version, including a languid script and lack of chemistry between the leads, who, sans supernatural assistance, would be doomed to toxic codependency, whose meet-cute feels like the prologue to The Panic in Needle Park (1971).
    Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The show kicks off with the death of Petey and introduction of Helly Britt Lower in Season 1 of SeveranceApple TV+ At the beginning of the series, Mark, a worker bee at Lumon, finds out that his best friend in the office, Petey, has suddenly quit, which means Mark will never see him again.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Many people are willing to help and make introductions.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Southern Section held its track and field preliminaries at four sites around Southern California on Saturday, and sophomore Brian Bonner of Valencia High continued his rise to prominence.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
  • In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.
    Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • Butler's concerns about machine evolution received mixed reactions, according to Butler in the preface to the second edition of Erewhon.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The book is handsome, the notes extensive, and Benjamin’s crisp preface is thoughtful and sincere.
    Joy Williams, Harper's Magazine, 2 May 2024
Noun
  • In this instance, the government of Greenland, which represents its fifty-six thousand residents, most of whom are Indigenous Inuits, has already rejected Trump’s overtures.
    John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Zuckerberg’s overtures to Trump began in the months leading up to the election.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • That was Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes — who wrote the foreword to Rosen's book.
    JC Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 3 Dec. 2024
  • After designing interiors for Michelle Obama and Shonda Rhimes—the latter wrote the foreword to this book—he was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House in 2010.
    Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near prelude

Cite this Entry

“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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