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
Relevance
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
After epic curtain-raisers in 1970 and 1986, this year’s inaugural match will feature a resurgent Mexico against a youthful South Africa team.
—
Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
The second season served as a curtain-raiser for Kaitlyn Dever and her character, Abby.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Only New Zealand comes in with a lower world ranking, and Les Grenadiers’ group features matchups with 2022 semifinalist Morocco and legendary Brazil (plus Scotland, whom Haiti will face in Foxboro’s World Cup curtain-raiser on June 13).
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
The fixture list for next season, including whether there will be a Friday night curtain-raiser and the festive schedule, will be released on Friday, June 19 at 10am BST (5am ET).
—Luke Bosher, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Here’s a curtain-raiser on SXSW Music 2026, which runs from March 12-16 — with all of the different sub-festivals running concurrently, for the first time in the Austin gathering’s four-decade history.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
The world premiere of Hulu’s The Testaments is the curtain-raiser to this year’s Series Mania.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Dense, yet never overwhelming, The Sanhedrin Chronicles is merely the curtain-raiser for an epic spanning multiple sequels.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Neither outfit managed to find the back of the net in their curtain-raiser and collide at the London Stadium, aiming to finally get off the mark.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
The second season served as a curtain-raiser for Kaitlyn Dever and her character, Abby.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Only New Zealand comes in with a lower world ranking, and Les Grenadiers’ group features matchups with 2022 semifinalist Morocco and legendary Brazil (plus Scotland, whom Haiti will face in Foxboro’s World Cup curtain-raiser on June 13).
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
The fixture list for next season, including whether there will be a Friday night curtain-raiser and the festive schedule, will be released on Friday, June 19 at 10am BST (5am ET).
—Luke Bosher, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Here’s a curtain-raiser on SXSW Music 2026, which runs from March 12-16 — with all of the different sub-festivals running concurrently, for the first time in the Austin gathering’s four-decade history.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
The world premiere of Hulu’s The Testaments is the curtain-raiser to this year’s Series Mania.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Dense, yet never overwhelming, The Sanhedrin Chronicles is merely the curtain-raiser for an epic spanning multiple sequels.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Neither outfit managed to find the back of the net in their curtain-raiser and collide at the London Stadium, aiming to finally get off the mark.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtain-raiser
Noun
-
That actually proved the prelude to an even more extraordinary attack on the board in his post-match press conference just 24 hours later, following a 2-1 defeat by Sunderland.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Look what happened last night, that was a prelude to the midterms.—
Rachel Scott,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Hernandez, now a Southern Section champion again, along with all the other winners will move onto the CIF preliminaries next Saturday to face the rest of the state's top female jumpers, with a chance to get back to the state finals.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
Tennyson never made it to the Southern Section track preliminaries after winning the league title.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curtain-raiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtain-raiser. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
