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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtain-raisers
Noun
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The two countries did made tentative overtures in the late 1990s, when Iranians were electing politicians on promises of greater personal freedom and openness.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026 -
Despite his positive words about the regime, which is practically unchanged save Maduro’s absence, in the last few days Trump has made overtures to María Corina Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader who was barred from running in Venezuela’s 2024 general election.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
21 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Curtain-raisers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtain-raisers. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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