warm-up 1 of 2

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

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warm (up)

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of warm (up)
Verb
Air conditioning in Terminal 4 of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was turned off for routine maintenance that took longer than expected, resulting in an unexpected warm-up. Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025 After doing some warm-up gigs in Las Vegas, the group did a homecoming show at the Bacchanal in Kearny Mesa. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025 Please include rest days and warm-up ideas as well. Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 The appearance came after warm-up gigs in Scotland for Mental Health Awareness Week, which were held in partnership with mental health charity CALM. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Noun
  • While the most intense heat will center on Virginia and the Carolinas Thursday, temperatures will also climb across parts of the Northeast and central US in a prelude to next week’s more expansive and intense heat dome.
    Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
  • An original amuse bouche of edible Yame tea, Yamanaka’s personalized version of a Japanese tea ceremony, is a prelude to an unforgettable dinner course at Viridis.
    Terry Elward, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Businesses should ask chatbot vendors to provide real-world data showing how their bots compare to human agents in terms of efficiency, accuracy and customer satisfaction.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
  • Dobbins, just signed last month, got a one-year deal to come in, be a veteran presence in the room and provide juice both in the running game and as a pass protector.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Today's listen Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Scripps National Spelling Bee is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week, with preliminaries kicking off last night.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 May 2025
  • Sports High School Sports News See who qualified from Thursday's preliminaries for the CIFSS Division 1 finals on Saturday at Mt. SAC.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • While ratings have dipped over the past few years, in line with the vast majority of other shows, MasterChef still averages a consolidated 28-day audience of more than 3M viewers, according to Barb data supplied by overnights.tv.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 July 2025
  • On the production side, Rae made sure to assemble the right crew to supply heat behind the boards with beats from Swizz Beatz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Nottz throughout the 17-track album.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Some players also furnished The Observer with previously unseen photos and videos from that remarkable season, and those will also be displayed.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2025
  • Truly a move-in-ready opportunity, Swan Manor is being offered fully furnished.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • In this way, musicians are uniquely equipped for reinvention.
    Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
  • In other words, he was thrust into a challenging role that he was no longer equipped to handle.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Creeping through the night, armed with a knife, Bryan Kohberger stalked them like helpless prey.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 20 July 2025
  • Until regular people act, armed with the truth and selfless motivation, we are doomed to continue mankind’s bizarre behavior.
    William "Coty" Keller, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • The panel called on the convention crowd to educate themselves on their rights and speak out about their concerns — and not just online.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • And as the number of A schools creeps upward, that’s ignited a debate on whether Florida is grading its schools effectively, and whether grade inflation is masking continued difficulties educating students.
    Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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