Proems are short poems that are often used to introduce longer pieces of writing or as stand-alone works. Synonyms for the word proems include prelude, introduction, opening poem or verse, preamble, prologue, preliminary, foreword, front matter, and exordium. These words all share a sense of something that comes before and prepares the reader for what is to come. Each word, however, carries its own unique connotations and associations, so writers must choose the word that best fits their context and intended tone. Synonyms provide rich and varied language options for writers looking to add nuance to their work or avoid repetition.