as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event the opening of the performing arts center proved to be a curtain-raiser for the rebirth of the city's downtown

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 curtain-raiser This setting serves as a high-stakes curtain-raiser for the season. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025 The curtain-raiser for the 2025 tennis season. Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 Now, that is pretty funny for a piece that was supposed to be a curtain-raiser, and Lynch swatted away my attempts to find out, well, anything at all. Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025 Aston Martin alternates six sets of such containers globally in order to reach all 24 races in time, with the Doha shipment already en route to Australia for the 2025 curtain-raiser in March. Jack Bantock, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024 Dyche also confirmed that captain Seamus Coleman (calf), James Garner (calf), Nathan Patterson (hamstring) and young striker Youssef Chermiti (foot) would also miss the weekend curtain-raiser against Brighton. Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024 This setting serves as a high-stakes curtain-raiser for the season. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025 Now, that is pretty funny for a piece that was supposed to be a curtain-raiser, and Lynch swatted away my attempts to find out, well, anything at all. Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025 Aston Martin alternates six sets of such containers globally in order to reach all 24 races in time, with the Doha shipment already en route to Australia for the 2025 curtain-raiser in March. Jack Bantock, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtain-raiser
Noun
  • Earlier this month, the administration began targeting the nonprofit status of Harvard University, which could be a prelude to a broader effort to eliminate the tax-exempt status for other nonprofit organizations that the administration has clashed with.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Hegseth may not know that the U.S. suffered twice as many casualties as the Spanish in that long-ago battle, the prelude to a needless and costly war of aggression.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Early preliminaries will air on ESPN+, Disney+, and UFC Fight Pass starting at 6 p.m. ET.
    Jim Varsallone, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Late preliminaries available on ESPN+, ESPN, Disney+, and ESPN Deportes at 8 p.m. ET.
    Jim Varsallone, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Curtain-raiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtain-raiser. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

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