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
The demonstrator aircraft, a prelude to the company’s commercial jet — dubbed the Overture — accelerated to Mach 1.05 within about 11 minutes of taking off, according to the company and a live video of the test flight.
—
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence the administration is weakening our defenses as a prelude to a power grab.
—Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Earlier this month, the administration began targeting the nonprofit status of Harvard University, which could be a prelude to a broader effort to eliminate the tax-exempt status for other nonprofit organizations that the administration has clashed with.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Hegseth may not know that the U.S. suffered twice as many casualties as the Spanish in that long-ago battle, the prelude to a needless and costly war of aggression.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence the administration is weakening our defenses as a prelude to a power grab.
—Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Earlier this month, the administration began targeting the nonprofit status of Harvard University, which could be a prelude to a broader effort to eliminate the tax-exempt status for other nonprofit organizations that the administration has clashed with.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Hegseth may not know that the U.S. suffered twice as many casualties as the Spanish in that long-ago battle, the prelude to a needless and costly war of aggression.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prelude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude
Noun
-
No sooner had the team posed for its last photo hoisting the Championship trophy into the air past had become prologue, Kang explained.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
-
In just 14 pages, the prologue represents everything AIs can’t do yet in writing.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
The introduction of Fund III builds on Hyundai’s 15-year history in venture investing.—
Cat Wang,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
This revival complements other recent enhancements to Seattle’s air connectivity, such as Alaska Airlines’ introduction of nonstop flights from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
And this month, he was seeded No. 1 in the Division II 50-yard freestyle at CIF and won in the preliminaries before being edged in the finals by 0.05 seconds.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
-
As a preliminary for Roland Garros, a good run in Rome will do just fine to get the rust out of the racket.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
The funeral of Pope Francis: Even in death, Pope Francis is breaking with tradition for his funeral and burial Prior to his hospitalization, Pope Francis wrote about death in the preface of a book on old age by Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
On Tuesday, April 22, the Vatican shared a preface that Francis wrote for a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop emeritus of Milan.—
Adam Carlson,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Patriotic tunes from the symphony, sometimes with vocal accompaniment, led up to Tchaikovsky’s overture, complete with blasting cannons, to usher in more blasts from a fireworks show that lit up the sky over the Liberty Memorial tower.—
Chris Ochsner,
Kansas City Star,
26 May 2025
-
Shortly after Saban pivoted and offered a full scholarship, Texas A&M extended a similar overture.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic wrote the foreword, while Van Morrison, Alice Cooper, Patti Smith and others join members of the Doors’ camp in offering commentary throughout the book.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
14 May 2025
-
In his gorgeous first book penned by his partner Tim Johnson with a glowing foreword by Martha Stewart, readers get to revel in the thoughtful beauty of Fernando’s gardens.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share