as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
the couple's initial exchange of insults proved to be only a warm-up for their booze-fueled fight later that night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of warm (up)
Adam Del Rosso, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Sunday’s game against a struggling Penn State team could serve as a warm-up for Ohio State on Wednesday.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
The Farmers' Almanac predicts a slow warm-up across the country.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 6 Feb. 2026
There was no warm-up period for Fisk ahead of her first transfer portal as director of recruiting.
—Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Minnesota's next warm-up begins Sunday, with highs returning to the mid-30s.
—Adam Del Rosso, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Sunday’s game against a struggling Penn State team could serve as a warm-up for Ohio State on Wednesday.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
The Farmers' Almanac predicts a slow warm-up across the country.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 6 Feb. 2026
There was no warm-up period for Fisk ahead of her first transfer portal as director of recruiting.
—Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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Hospitals are so poorly equipped that patients are asked to provide supplies needed for their care, from syringes to surgical screws.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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This satellite will provide broadband internet and communications capability for public use facilities in Indonesia’s rural regions.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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In Puerto Rico, watch parties treated the game as a prelude.—
Martin Silva Rey,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And then there are the companies that supply equipment to the electric grid – Eaton and GE Vernova – and the ones that turn fuel into electricity – again, GE Vernova, hence why that’s a good company to own.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
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But any legal liability exposure was capped at $350 million by Congress in November 2001 and the World Trade Center Captive Insurance Company, which is controlled by City Hall, still has hundreds of millions dollars supplied by the feds to pay out claims.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Switzerland crushed Germany in the men’s curling preliminaries, keeping a consistent lead before ending the game with a score of 8-4.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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The couple have furnished it slowly in their own resourceful way, mixing custom and contemporary pieces with auction finds, many of them Danish and Swedish antiques from Lief gallery.—
Christine Lennon,
Architectural Digest,
17 Feb. 2026
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As Casas de Luz also runs a Re-Purpose with a Purpose program, donated furniture, beds and mattresses, and household items were used to furnish the home.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The peaceful mountain lodge is equipped with every amenity and convenience, including ski-in, ski-out accommodations.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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Members use Woodway 4Front treadmills, and BeaverFit benches equipped with dumbbells, slam balls and resistance bands.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Toward that goal, retailers can arm store associates with technology that supports sales.—
Sarah Jones,
Footwear News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Beck features the size (6-4, 220), arm talent and intangibles that NFL teams seek in a starting QB, but the inconsistency followed him to Coral Gables.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The practice was particularly used by patrolling troops during World War II, according to Smith, who has educated himself in the sport’s long history.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Jackson’s advocacy brought him to the Bay Area on many occasions to support local issues, meet and educate young people and speak to local leaders and organizations.—
Laura A. Oda,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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