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
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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
Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtain-raisers
Noun
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In his keynote speech in Washington last week, just hours after Trump signed the executive order, Hawley went a step further than his recent overtures to American workers.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
9 June 2026
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Cooper turned down Weiss' overtures to anchor it and left the network altogether, concerned about her approach, according to associates.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Noun
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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
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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-raisers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtain-raisers. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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