prelusive

adjective

pri-ˈlü-siv How to pronounce prelusive (audio)
Definition of prelusivenext
as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows after a prelusive dimming of the house lights intended to induce quiet, the stage curtain rose

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prelusive
  1. preparatory
  2. preliminary
  3. introductory
Adjective
  • The drawing may have been made as a preparatory study to show a prospective patron before Canaletto completed a related painting.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Canaletto expert Charles Beddington authenticated the drawing, which was likely a preparatory sketch for a painting last sold in 1995 for $354,000 (about $766,000 in today’s dollars).
    — News Desk, Artforum, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of preparatory
Adjective
  • Attendees asked engineers to provide preliminary cost estimates for street lighting running from the stadium connection north to Swepco Road.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In a statement, police said the preliminary investigation indicates that a fight broke out prior to the shooting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • The basic model of competitive markets which one finds in an introductory economics textbook—where independent firms engage in cold arm’s-length transactions motivated by unadulterated self-interest—does not apply to the industry.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • JetBlue is offering some introductory fares for BlueFirst seats for select flights, including a $299 flight from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, a $249 option from New York to Fort Lauderdale and a $299 option from New York to Liberia, Costa Rica.
    — Maggie Roth, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of introductory
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.

Browse Nearby Words

preludes
prelusive
premarital
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prelusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prelusive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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