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)
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
But a warm-up is coming for the weekend, with temperatures climbing to the mid-70s on Saturday and the mid to upper 80s on Sunday, according to the weather service.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
Before the jackets are issued, the trophies are inscribed and the $20 million purse is disbursed, PGA fans can catch a leisurely warm-up swing for this weekend’s Masters.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Weekend warm-up likely in metro A warming trend with dry weather is expected for the weekend.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Prior to the Coachella gig, the Go-Go’s played a warm-up show at Los Angeles’ the Roxy this week.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
But a warm-up is coming for the weekend, with temperatures climbing to the mid-70s on Saturday and the mid to upper 80s on Sunday, according to the weather service.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
Before the jackets are issued, the trophies are inscribed and the $20 million purse is disbursed, PGA fans can catch a leisurely warm-up swing for this weekend’s Masters.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Weekend warm-up likely in metro A warming trend with dry weather is expected for the weekend.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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Dutch florists provided tens of thousands of flowers in an intricate, colorful layout − a tradition in its 39th year.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
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Any business seeking public support (tax breaks, zoning changes, etc.) should be required to pay livable wages and provide strong benefits.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The city’s live music series, presented by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, is a prelude to summer, bringing Sacramento natives and visitors together to celebrate and support the local talent produced in Sacramento.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacbee.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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This investigation is a likely prelude to Trump’s tariffs to come.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His four-year contract also supplies long-term depth.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Brembo supplies the braking, and the new 700 boasts adjustable preload, rebound, and compression.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Late preliminaries available on ESPN+, ESPN, Disney+, and ESPN Deportes at 8 p.m. ET.—
Jim Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
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While the diving kicked off Thursday, the swimming gets underway with preliminaries on Friday, with the finals for both swimming and diving slated for Saturday.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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According to the Washington Post, many government workers have been submitting the same boilerplate reply, over and over, furnishing a preview of the White House’s plan to replace the federal labor pool with digital assistants.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2025
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State prison inmates are now furnished with email-and-phone-capable Securus Unity tablets.—
Phoebe Eaton,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The lounge is very large, equipped with ample seating, a fresh food buffet, and a self-serve bar.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2025
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The vacuum is also equipped with a high-efficiency filter and a handy dustbin that can be emptied with the push of a button.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Learn more about some recent discoveries: Venomous creature — armed with neurotoxin — found in Oman for first time.—
Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2025
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Once again taking a deft low-key approach to a sturdy script (this time by Sean Farley), and armed with engaging lead performances from Jack Quaid and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Skiles has crafted another accessibly offbeat not-quite-genre item.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This free forum will help educate the community on the probate process and available resources available to start estate planning efforts.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Apr. 2025
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Another idea pitch presented to the White House called for more funding efforts to educate women about their menstrual cycles, the newspaper reported.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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