as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
a noted critic has written a short preface to her story to explain some of the historical background
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Recent Examples of preface
Chomet has dabbled in live action as well, but only recently returned to animation, notably last year’s five-minute preface to Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 June 2025
While strong levels of consumer spending generally bode well for economic performance, several economists saw the March surge as the preface for a steep spring fall.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2025
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
Recommended Stories The 2028 Democratic presidential field begins to take shape at a low point for the party
Embarrassing displays of media blindness
Trump tariffs: Bargaining tool or preface to a global trade war?
—Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 June 2025
While strong levels of consumer spending generally bode well for economic performance, several economists saw the March surge as the preface for a steep spring fall.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2025
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
Recommended Stories The 2028 Democratic presidential field begins to take shape at a low point for the party
Embarrassing displays of media blindness
Trump tariffs: Bargaining tool or preface to a global trade war?
—Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preface
Noun
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From the Luddites smashing looms in 19th-century England to autoworkers walking out over the introduction of robots to the factory floor in the 1980s, resistance has flared before either being crushed or subsiding, giving way to the new economies and social orders the technologies ushered in.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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In his introduction video, Becerra says his priority is to make housing more affordable and reduce health care costs.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Japanese actress Megumi Odaka, who’s appeared in six Godzilla films, crafted a deeply personal foreword.—
Michael Taube,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The book features a foreword by Del Toro and an introduction by Isaac, who plays Victor Frankenstein.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preface. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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