variants
also prolog
1
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part
a brief prologue sets the scene for the story that follows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of prologue
The film arrives with a bang, introducing the fragile ceasefire between its warring (though unnamed) desert nations via a smart split-screen prologue during its first five minutes.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025
According to Variety, the prologue includes footages of the famous Trojan Horse landing in Troy and Odysseus’ leading his army to victory.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025
And a prologue to the film played this weekend with IMAX 70mm screenings of Sinners and One Battle After Another, showing Odysseus and his men hiding inside that Trojan Horse just before the start of the Battle of Troy.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
The past is never prologue to him.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025
According to Variety, the prologue includes footages of the famous Trojan Horse landing in Troy and Odysseus’ leading his army to victory.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025
And a prologue to the film played this weekend with IMAX 70mm screenings of Sinners and One Battle After Another, showing Odysseus and his men hiding inside that Trojan Horse just before the start of the Battle of Troy.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
The past is never prologue to him.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prologue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prologue
Noun
-
The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In Puerto Rico, watch parties treated the game as a prelude.—
Martin Silva Rey,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The introductions of Ruben Dias and Rayan Cherki bolstered City, whereas Slot was slow to take off the ineffective Cody Gakpo, with Jones still waiting to be introduced when the visitors equalised.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
But doubts surrounding Dana, Tod, Lynn, and Naveen aren’t serious (even Lynn’s ignominious introduction gets swept under the rug), and what little there is to find out is held back at the expense of the ensemble.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
-
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Colbert opened his Monday night broadcast with a preface in light of Reiner’s death, as well as the shootings at Bondi Beach and Brown University.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
John Akomfrah’s foreword is wonderful.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Rhythm & Fire also features a foreword by Roots member Questlove, along with 30 exclusive color photographs.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sun Ra’s intro wandered, appealingly arrhythmic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There are a few inarticulate screams and sobs but no dialogue, no lyrics, no spoken intro, no utterances at all.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prologue. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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