PRELUDE Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

prelude

noun

ˈprel-ˌyüd

Definition of prelude

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

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 In Germany itself, references to the Weimar Republic, the fragile democracy that preceded Hitler’s rise to power, are a staple of public debate as an unmistakable prelude-to-Hitler warning. — Katja Hoyer, Washington Post, 9 June 2026 Analysts widely believe Monday’s announcement is a prelude to eventual sales of both Comcast and NBCUniversal, a theory that Comcast rejects. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Nearby the Kennedy Center earlier on Friday, UFC held a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial, a prelude to the cage match at the White House on Sunday, held in a giant makeshift arena. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 June 2026 The windows serve as a prelude to a much larger spatial takeover, as Duggal prepares to deploy massive fan experiences, stadium environments, and retail destinations across North America for the tournament, stretching across North America. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for prelude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelude

Noun

But the extent to which the past is prologue is uncertain.

— Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026
But the recent past need not be prologue.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 June 2026

Definition of prologue

Noun

The demonstration also represented the public debut of the production version of Atlas in a live event following its introduction earlier this year at CES 2026.

— Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
He was given a loud ovation during Saturday’s player introductions in his first NBA game before Jazz fans in Utah.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026

Definition of introduction

Noun

The meet continues Thursday, a day consisting largely of women’s preliminaries, followed by men’s finals Friday and women’s finals Saturday.

— Mike Wilson, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Hernandez, now a Southern Section champion again, along with all the other winners will move onto the CIF preliminaries next Saturday to face the rest of the state's top female jumpers, with a chance to get back to the state finals.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026

Definition of preliminary

Noun

In the preface of her new book, MJ Corey offers a note of apology for pouring so much energy into analyzing a family that’s famously famous for being famous, and for little else, said Megan Garber in The Atlantic.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 10 June 2026
The book arrives on the scene six years before Wordsworth’s preface to the Lyrical Ballads (considered the first Romantic manifesto).

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

Definition of preface

Noun

The musical’s overture gives you a sense of the complexity that’s needed to make seeming simple and straightforward material really soar.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
But the issue Americans should be concerned with here really isn’t FIFA, which has entertained other similar overtures before, but rather its own sporting reputation.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of overture

Noun

As Dubner himself acknowledged in the anniversary foreword, the original book was written without a central thesis tying everything together.

— Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
The book, co-authored by Darren Grubb and Johnny Russo, featured a foreword by Letterman.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Definition of foreword

Browse Nearby Words

preliminary

prelude

preludes

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Style

“Prelude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelude. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of prelude

noun

Example Sentences

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