as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
the couple's initial exchange of insults proved to be only a warm-up for their booze-fueled fight later that night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of warm (up)
Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 4 June 2025
During that show, Durand didn’t pay much attention to workouts or warm-ups.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Maybe the fame machine has offered a gracious glimpse, and some of the questions faced by ghostwriters who have seen books turn from things of beauty to cogs in the wheel are a warm-up.
—Anna Mitchael
may 30, Literary Hub, 30 May 2025
Head coach Tom Thibodeau had described Towns as a game-time decision, and Towns did not take the court at his normal time for pre-game warm-ups.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
There are vocal and dance warm-up sessions, pre-show glam, meeting her fans, and then the main event: A riveting show.
—Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 4 June 2025
During that show, Durand didn’t pay much attention to workouts or warm-ups.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Maybe the fame machine has offered a gracious glimpse, and some of the questions faced by ghostwriters who have seen books turn from things of beauty to cogs in the wheel are a warm-up.
—Anna Mitchael
may 30, Literary Hub, 30 May 2025
Head coach Tom Thibodeau had described Towns as a game-time decision, and Towns did not take the court at his normal time for pre-game warm-ups.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
-
Starting in 2014, Florida universities provided in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students under certain conditions.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
-
Both Norton and Bitdefender provide a spot to record all details about the contents of your wallet.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Her administration sent Triple Five a March 6 letter demanding the $5 million payment, communication that was the prelude to the lawsuit.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
-
The moment serves as a prelude for an episode almost entirely devoted to Joel’s time as Ellie’s adoptive father in the years between their arrival in Jackson and his death.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Without the resources to be self-sufficient, Asia must rely on LNG imports to meet its energy demands, and the U.S is taking advantage of the opportunity to supply.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
Manila deploys missions to supply a small garrison of troops living aboard an aging warship that was deliberately run aground in 1999 to protect its maritime claims.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
And this month, he was seeded No. 1 in the Division II 50-yard freestyle at CIF and won in the preliminaries before being edged in the finals by 0.05 seconds.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
-
As a preliminary for Roland Garros, a good run in Rome will do just fine to get the rust out of the racket.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
Each asset is delivered fully furnished and turnkey-ready, designed to support rental income potential, with a model that aims to be largely hands-off for investors.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
-
Pyongyang reportedly furnished 148 Hwasong-11s for use by Russia against Ukrainian cities, though these allegedly demonstrated a roughly 50% failure rate after launch.—
Sebastien Roblin,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
People without air conditioning in their homes were urged to stay overnight at a friend's house equipped with cooling capabilities.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
-
Lenovo also plans to release two more versions this year: one equipped with SteamOS, which will cost $599, and another that will use the more powerful Z2 or Z2 Pro.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Some cover several square miles and are equipped with firearms, while other are armed with just machetes and stones.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
In addition to deploying the MST, the U.S. is arming its allies and partners in the western Pacific Ocean with various anti-ship missiles.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
The hands-on displays are designed to educate about teamwork, deduction, health care, coordination, agility and cognitive thinking, among others.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
-
Many school districts pay private providers to educate students with special needs.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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