prologue

noun

ˈprō-ˌlȯg How to pronounce prologue (audio)
variants also prolog
Definition of prologuenext
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

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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 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 prologue Crosland’s interpretation begins with a prologue showing the origin of Don Juan’s romantic cynicism, followed by an epic tale of lust, love, and deceit. — Air Mail, 8 Aug. 2026 The horrid digital-botox prologue feels like an explosion at the Unnecessary Cameo Factory. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 The off day also offers a chance to reset and review the first three practices, which served as a prologue for what’s to come this week. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Unfortunately, a prologue has already alerted us to the fact that a wild animal being trafficked has escaped its cage and vehicle, fleeing into the same woods Irina’s chauffeur now drives through. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for prologue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prologue
  1. prelude
  2. introduction
  3. preliminary
  4. preface
  5. foreword
  6. intro
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
  • Within the same country, a city break can mean seafood and island hopping, a cross-border weekend, centuries of university history or an introduction to life in the Arctic.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This was my introduction, on a hot Tuesday afternoon, to Shimamoto’s peerless ramen.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of introduction
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
  • What could have been a throwaway nibble instead becomes a thought-through, gripping preface that sets up what’s to come.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • In the preface of her new book, MJ Corey offers a note of apology for pouring so much energy into analyzing a family that’s famously famous for being famous, and for little else, said Megan Garber in The Atlantic.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 10 June 2026
Definition of preface
Noun
  • There’s one anecdote in the cookbook’s foreword that Tiedemann wrestled with sharing.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The new edition includes previously unseen archival photographs, a new introduction, a personal eulogy for late Smiths bassist Andy Rourke and a foreword from Oasis’ Noel Gallagher.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of foreword
Noun
  • Few character intros in movie history are better than Indiana Jones snagging that golden idol before being promptly chased by a giant boulder and a tribe of blowdart-wielding warriors.
    — Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers an intro APR for 21 months on transfers made within 120 days of opening the account.
    — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of intro

Browse Nearby Words

prolocutors
prologue
prologues
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on prologue

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prologue

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