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 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 In 25-54s, the average was 172,000, up 153% on the previous season and 47% above its lead-in. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 May 2026 Some of these will also present great lead-in opportunities. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 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
  • But all of that was just the preliminaries for Grady Emerson.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
  • The meet continues Thursday, a day consisting largely of women’s preliminaries, followed by men’s finals Friday and women’s finals Saturday.
    — Mike Wilson, New York Times, 11 June 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
  • 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
  • Cooper—who is reportedly in Paris to film a prelude to Ocean’s Eleven with Margot Robbie—was not pictured.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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