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)
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Different forecasts offer varied outlooks, with some predicting a slow warm-up and others suggesting above-average temperatures for April and May.
—Brandi D. Addison, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
People can expect to wake up to the low-20s with a slight warm-up to the low-50s.
—Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 1 Feb. 2026
Arsenal were also without Bukayo Saka for the 4-0 win at Leeds, with the England international withdrawing from the team’s warm-up at Elland Road after pulling up and appearing in discomfort.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Milwaukee's February is starting out with a warm-up as a barometric trough is moving out of the area, VanCleave said.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Different forecasts offer varied outlooks, with some predicting a slow warm-up and others suggesting above-average temperatures for April and May.
—Brandi D. Addison, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
People can expect to wake up to the low-20s with a slight warm-up to the low-50s.
—Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 1 Feb. 2026
Arsenal were also without Bukayo Saka for the 4-0 win at Leeds, with the England international withdrawing from the team’s warm-up at Elland Road after pulling up and appearing in discomfort.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
-
The promotion provides free admission to guests who wear Patriots gear.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The construction of the first dams on the Columbia River, including the Grand Coulee and Bonneville in the 1930s, provided jobs during the Great Depression as well as hydropower and navigation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This was a prelude to a larger protest just blocks away and a benefit for the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
-
When Alvarado asked if the singles are the prelude to the first full album from GNR to feature him and fellow OG member bassist Duff McKagan since the Illusion LPs, Slash dropped a double-dose of good news.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Due to weather conditions, firefighters initiated a second alarm as mutual aid from the Southington and New Britain Fire Departments supplied station coverage, according to fire officials.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The Factbook also supplied superlatives that trivia buffs could count on, issuing Daily Facts of historical and geographical significance.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Is it reduced to yet another fill-in-the-blank preliminary to a national title game in some super-duper-they-look-alike stadium?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bonds are used to fund brick-and-mortar projects, which include constructing, equipping, maintaining and furnishing district facilities.—
Kendrick Calfee
February 11,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Snyder-Hill has since furnished a second request for Wexner’s name removal, which includes thousands of pages of documents and articles.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It is equipped with an active cooling system between its leg joints, ensuring continuous high-intensity performance up to 4 hours with a solid-state lithium battery architecture.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The building is equipped for visitors in wheelchairs.—
Katie Parla,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Toward that goal, retailers can arm store associates with technology that supports sales.—
Sarah Jones,
Footwear News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Years of disinvestment, inconsistent arts funding and bureaucratic contracting delays have hollowed out the robust infrastructure that allows these artists to educate fellow New Yorkers.—
Kimberly Olsen,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
