| Main Entry: | break the ice |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | prepare the way |
Synonyms: |
be friendly and talkative, break ground, cut the first turf, get one's feet wet, lay the first stone, lead off, lead the way, make a start, oil the works, open the way, pave the way, set at ease, smooth the path, socialize, start, start the ball rolling, take the plunge |
| Main Entry: | herald |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | bring message |
Synonyms: |
advertise, announce, ballyhoo, broadcast, declare, forerun, foretoken, harbinger, indicate, pave the way, portend, precede, preindicate, presage, proclaim, promise, publicize, publish, show, tout, trumpet, usher in |
| Main Entry: | introduce |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make known; present |
Synonyms: |
acquaint, advance, air, announce, bring out, bring up, broach, come out with, do the honors, familiarize, fix up, get things rolling, get together, give introduction, harbinger*, herald, kick off, knock down, lead into, lead off, moot, offer, open, open up, originate, pave the way, precede, preface, propose, put forward, recommend, set forth, spring with, start ball rolling, submit, suggest, usher, ventilate |
Antonyms: |
close, end, finish, take away |
| Main Entry: | precede |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | go ahead of |
Synonyms: |
antecede, antedate, anticipate, be ahead of, come first, forerun, foreshadow, go before, go in advance, guide, harbinger, have a head start, head, head up, herald, in space, introduce, lead, light the way, outrank, pace, pave the way, pioneer, predate, preexist, preface, presage, rank, ring in, run ahead, scout, take precedence, time, usher |
| Notes: | precede means to be earlier in time or come before, while proceed means to continue with one's activities or to follow a procedure or take a course |
Antonyms: |
follow, go after |
| Main Entry: | ready |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | prepare |
Synonyms: |
arrange, brace, brief, clear the decks, equip, fill in, fit, fit out, fix, fortify, gear up, get, get ready, get set, gird, keep posted, let in on, make, make ready, make up, order, organize, pave the way, post, prep, provide, psych up, put on to, set, strengthen, warm up, wise up |
Antonyms: |
hold back, retard, slow |
| Main Entry: | smooth |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make peace |
Synonyms: |
allay, alleviate, appease, assuage, calm, comfort, cool*, ease, extenuate, facilitate, iron out, mellow, mitigate, mollify, palliate, pat, pave the way, soften, stroke, take the edge off, take the sting out |
Antonyms: |
aggravate, agitate, incite, irritate, upset |
| Main Entry: | usher |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | guide |
Synonyms: |
bring in, conduct, direct, escort, herald, inaugurate, initiate, institute, introduce, launch, lead, marshal, open the door, originate, pave the way, pilot, precede, preface, receive, set up, show around, show in, show out, steer |
| Main Entry: | predate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | precede |
Synonyms: |
antecede, antedate, anticipate, be ahead of, come first, forerun, foreshadow, go before, go in advance, guide, harbinger, have a head start, head, head up, herald, in space, introduce, lead, light the way, outrank, pace, pave the way, pioneer, preexist, preface, presage, rank*, ring in, run ahead, scout, take precedence, time, usher |