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)
Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
Alcaraz will also miss Queen’s, the prestigious warm-up event held in London, after ruling himself out of the entire grass-court swing.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 19 May 2026
The podcast will be rooted in Riles’ background as a longtime Hollywood audience warm-up comedian and one of the country’s top benefit auctioneers.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 May 2026
My pregame warm-up felt really good.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Made from a breathable, sweat-wicking fabric, these versatile pants are perfect for light activities like long walks, warm-ups, running errands, and busy travel days.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
Alcaraz will also miss Queen’s, the prestigious warm-up event held in London, after ruling himself out of the entire grass-court swing.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 19 May 2026
The podcast will be rooted in Riles’ background as a longtime Hollywood audience warm-up comedian and one of the country’s top benefit auctioneers.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 May 2026
My pregame warm-up felt really good.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
-
Plans are underway to provide wetsuits to the men and the rescue divers taught the group how to use the specialized equipment.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The policies proposed by the candidates range from eliminating key environmental laws to providing free childcare and college tuition.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
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That actually proved the prelude to an even more extraordinary attack on the board in his post-match press conference just 24 hours later, following a 2-1 defeat by Sunderland.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Look what happened last night, that was a prelude to the midterms.—
Rachel Scott,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Now, his family is suing the restaurant chain, as well as the manufacturer that supplied the raw ground beef kofta.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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Affordability and housing supply needs have landed an increasing number of apartment complexes in the downtown corridor, many of which do not supply parking for every resident due to their proximity to transit options.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 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
Verb
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The main event, though, is the ski room—where ski butlers furnish guests with state-of-the-art skis before sliding them onto the slicked Jardin Alpin piste with or without an instructor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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Corey Thornton furnished perhaps the splashiest play of the day when the cornerback intercepted a Bryce Young pass in 7-on-7 work in the red zone.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Accessibility There are six rooms with accessible showers, which can also be equipped with a chair if necessary.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Outside, the pool house is equipped with an outdoor fireplace for cooking, ideal for whipping up meals during pool parties and the like.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
Verb
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There is also a hand and arm massage and then another scalp massage and then a cooling down of the steaming before the final rinse.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
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Arteta embraced his wife Lorena, and sang North London Forever arm in arm with Josh Kroenke and board member Ben Winston.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Open-minded, passionate, forthright and brave, Eva is well-educated, well-read, adventurous, generous of spirit, a world-traveler.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
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His enforcers were trained in torture techniques by the CIA and educated in the theories expounded by the political scientist Samuel Huntington.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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