Definition of preamblenext
1
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event the round of hors d'oeuvres was merely the preamble to an evening of lavish feasting

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2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part an insightful analysis of the preamble to the Constitution of the United States

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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 preamble Enough preamble from me; let’s get into his reporting. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026 In addition, this rule finalizes some of the amendments that were proposed on January 16, 2025, to fix incorrect regulatory text citations as well as clarify and add provisions in the regulatory text to match the language included in the preamble. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor kicked off the ceremony with a brief speech thanking the audience, both in person and those watching the livestream, while providing a preamble that gestured at the ongoing conversations about the role of AI in film. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026 What Shyne focuses on in this quiet, experiential preamble is not the who, the where, or the why of this person’s passing. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preamble
Noun
  • Sonis hopes the record-breaking Saturday will be a prelude to bigger moments to come in the NWSL, which has seen rapid growth in popularity over the past decade.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
  • As a prelude to a lunar landing, the flight was an important step in testing the flight trajectory and operations before astronauts stepped foot on the moon's surface.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The day began with introductions in a garage attached to the gym.
    Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Before the introduction of meta glasses, Huston would record his POV videos using the Snapchat Spectacle glasses.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The hockey playoffs weren’t affected by the storm and are expected to start on March 2 with Division II preliminaries.
    Jacob Rousseau, The Providence Journal, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Switzerland crushed Germany in the men’s curling preliminaries, keeping a consistent lead before ending the game with a score of 8-4.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And that long preface to editing isn’t helping, Bill Pullman notwithstanding.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
  • In his preface of the American Legion’s Junior Baseball for 1938 program, Chaillaux noted that 500,000 boys participated in Legion ball.
    Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • My Jamaican Table, his first book (Springsteen wrote the foreword), is a mouth-watering mix of traditional classic dishes like oxtail with rice and peas, and curry chicken alongside modern spins on American classics, like his signature jerk smashburger with bacon jam.
    Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2026
  • This May, the 50th anniversary edition of the book—revamped with a new foreword by culinary historian and journalist Toni Tipton-Martin—will be released.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preamble. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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