as in preludes
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
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Recent Examples of preliminaries
Lower‑demand preliminaries will likely be the most affordable, while high‑profile events—gymnastics finals, swimming finals, track and field, and the opening ceremony—will sit at the top end of the pricing spectrum.
—
Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminaries
overtures
Noun
-
As anyone who watches nineties-era romantic comedies knows, there’s a fine line between charming overtures and boneheaded actions that result in deep psychological wounds.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Scripps has rejected such overtures.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminaries. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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