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
Besides airing from Milan, the curtain-raiser will beam from three Alpine venues — Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno and Predazzo — to a global audience estimated at more than 2 billion viewers.
—
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Read our curtain-raiser profile on the film here.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
The Supercopa de España began in 1982 as a quick curtain-raiser between the La Liga champions and the Copa del Rey winners, usually over two legs.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The show is something of a curtain-raiser for the holiday and Christmas period for the royals as the show is broadcast in December on ITV1 in the U.K.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025
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
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Read our curtain-raiser profile on the film here.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
The Supercopa de España began in 1982 as a quick curtain-raiser between the La Liga champions and the Copa del Rey winners, usually over two legs.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The show is something of a curtain-raiser for the holiday and Christmas period for the royals as the show is broadcast in December on ITV1 in the U.K.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025
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
-
This was a prelude to a larger protest just blocks away and a benefit for the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
-
When Alvarado asked if the singles are the prelude to the first full album from GNR to feature him and fellow OG member bassist Duff McKagan since the Illusion LPs, Slash dropped a double-dose of good news.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lower‑demand preliminaries will likely be the most affordable, while high‑profile events—gymnastics finals, swimming finals, track and field, and the opening ceremony—will sit at the top end of the pricing spectrum.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curtain-raiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtain-raiser. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
