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
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)
Kieran Alger, Wired News, 7 May 2025
Consider this weekend our first warm-up for the W, the initial stretch to get our eyes and minds back into game-watching shape.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Monday: Run/Walk Intervals 5-minute warm-up Walk 90 seconds, run 3.5 minutes (repeat 4 times)
5-to-10-minute cooldown
Total time: 30–35 minutes
(back to top)
Tuesday: Active Recovery (Optional) or Rest
Today’s a rest day with an option for an active recovery routine.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
Experts recommend drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water two to three hours before a workout and 8 ounces every 20 to 30 minutes during warm-ups.
—Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
After an obligatory Bane impersonation and a 10 minute warm-up on the treadmill, I was asked to maintain a series of 5 minute efforts, running around 10 seconds slower than my target marathon pace in each of my test shoes.
—Kieran Alger, Wired News, 7 May 2025
Consider this weekend our first warm-up for the W, the initial stretch to get our eyes and minds back into game-watching shape.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Monday: Run/Walk Intervals 5-minute warm-up Walk 90 seconds, run 3.5 minutes (repeat 4 times)
5-to-10-minute cooldown
Total time: 30–35 minutes
(back to top)
Tuesday: Active Recovery (Optional) or Rest
Today’s a rest day with an option for an active recovery routine.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
Experts recommend drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water two to three hours before a workout and 8 ounces every 20 to 30 minutes during warm-ups.
—Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
-
The information and opinions contained in this article are provided by the author and have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
Owners can also contact Ford customer service, providing the manufacturing recall code for this notice — 25S47 — for further assistance.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Many legal experts consider this questioning of a private right of action as the prelude to the next potential showdown over the Voting Rights Act at the Supreme Court, where multiple rulings by the court's conservative majority have eroded the law's protections over the past decade.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
14 May 2025
-
And that was just the prelude to the evening’s main event: a runway show of the 163 jewels in Diorexquis, and 25 couture creations by Maria Grazia Chiuri, staged around an ornamental reflecting pool that, at 45 meters, stops just shy of Olympic dimensions.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and Vietnam supplied nearly two-thirds of steel mill product imports in 2024, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute, a trade association.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
To supply all of McDonald’s U.S. restaurants, Krispy Kreme was investing in expanding capacity quickly, which weighed on profits.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Early preliminaries will air on ESPN+, Disney+, and UFC Fight Pass starting at 6 p.m. ET.—
Jim Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Late preliminaries available on ESPN+, ESPN, Disney+, and ESPN Deportes at 8 p.m. ET.—
Jim Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But Beck had barely furnished his office when Rice burst in on him that summer.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
-
This is simply furnished with just a chair and a desk area that presumably serves as a home office, though there is space in there for more seating too.—
Adam Williams
May 07,
New Atlas,
7 May 2025
Verb
-
The court has now transferred the boxes to a room equipped with extra security measures, and invited the Holocaust Museum in Buenos Aires to participate in their preservation and inventory.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
12 May 2025
-
The designs are equipped with a hint of femininity and edginess.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
So, too, did a Democratic priority bill that could slow federal immigration authorities’ work in Colorado, particularly if they’re not armed with warrants.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
9 May 2025
-
Experts also note that India’s strikes successfully hit multiple targets in Pakistan – suggesting its missiles penetrated Pakistani air defenses, which are armed with Chinese surface-to-air missiles, including the long-range HQ-9B.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
From tackling the country’s vicious dictatorship to honing in on intimate personal narratives while shattering taboos, Chilean documentary filmmakers continue to push boundaries and adapt to the pulse of broader social cues, committing to wide-ranging themes that not only educate, but enthral.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
17 May 2025
-
Having traveled to 75 countries, bought real estate in 24, established businesses in 7, and educated her children in 4, Kathleen is the go-to expert on expat life.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share