lead-in

noun

Definition of lead-innext
as in preliminary

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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 lead-in The negative spin is that the game lost nearly half the viewers from the massive Clark lead-in audience. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The entire weekend is essentially a lead-in to the company’s Saturday Hall H presentation, during which Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige routinely drops news about what to expect from the MCU in the coming years. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 30 July 2026 That movie should have served as a decent lead-in, even introducing Kara at the end, but this is miles away from that film's $618 million. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 And so your lead-in is the program that's on before you, and 60 Minutes for most of the season has the NFL right before 60 Minutes. — Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lead-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lead-in
  1. preliminary
  2. overture
  3. prelude
  4. prologue
  5. preamble
Noun
  • Used to last-minute quick changes, Becker recalls preliminaries from this year’s state pageant.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But all of that was just the preliminaries for Grady Emerson.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
Definition of preliminary
Noun
  • The United States had been looking for an interlocutor with Cuba and made overtures with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former Cuban president Raúl Castro, according to an exclusive USA TODAY interview in July.
    — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In Blair’s case, Franco’s overture in 2017 led to both friendship and eventual collaboration.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of overture
Noun
  • In 1996, when the first three novels were reprinted again, Kennedy appended a prelude that reads like an account of the cycle’s evolution—except that the author of these books is identified as Billy Phelan’s nephew Daniel Quinn.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Pendry Park City Park City, UT Park City is a world-class resort town and year-round destination where hiking and biking are a prelude to an exciting nightlife.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of prelude
Noun
  • However, CyberLeek seems to have retaliated by leaking footage showing the apparent prologue of the game.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe that’s because Scott is trying to differentiate the narrative style of the prologue from Tracy’s chapter.
    — Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of prologue
Noun
  • Unaware of this sinister preamble, Tom Kennedy (Scott) is moving into the area with his young son, Jake (Acston Luca Porto).
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The legislation goes into effect immediately as it was filed as an emergency preamble.
    — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of preamble

Browse Nearby Words

leaderships
lead-in
leading
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lead-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lead-in. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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