curtain-raisers

noun

plural of curtain-raiser
as in preludes
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-raisers 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtain-raisers
  1. overtures
  2. preliminaries
Noun
  • PayPal has been working with investment banks on takeover and activist defense for the last few months and had already shrugged off initial overtures from Stripe, Semafor reported earlier this year.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
  • But the issue Americans should be concerned with here really isn’t FIFA, which has entertained other similar overtures before, but rather its own sporting reputation.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of overtures
Noun
  • The meet continues Thursday, a day consisting largely of women’s preliminaries, followed by men’s finals Friday and women’s finals Saturday.
    — Mike Wilson, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of preliminaries

Browse Nearby Words

curtain-raiser
curtain-raisers
curtains
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Cite this Entry

“Curtain-raisers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtain-raisers. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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