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)
Cutter Martin, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
More recently, the daredevil actor has focused on warm-up stretches, muscling his eight-film franchise to its explosive finale.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
This allows users to tailor sessions for warm-ups, post-training recovery or even relaxation.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
The event will begin with a warm-up led by local fitness trainer Cassy DaSilva, then La Jollan Chas.
—La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
The real warm-up arrives Wednesday into Thursday.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
More recently, the daredevil actor has focused on warm-up stretches, muscling his eight-film franchise to its explosive finale.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
This allows users to tailor sessions for warm-ups, post-training recovery or even relaxation.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
The event will begin with a warm-up led by local fitness trainer Cassy DaSilva, then La Jollan Chas.
—La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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The study also provides a previously unidentified constraint for models of tidal heat production, shell thickness, and the long-term evolution of Enceladus’ ocean.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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The indictment contends that Jones provided information regarding key players on the Los Angeles Lakers’ status in advance of games on two dates to enable third-parties to make potentially favorable bets.—
Samidh Guha,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Known as Kristallnacht, it is considered a prelude to the Holocaust.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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The week-long extravaganza, which includes events in Los Angeles, as well as content across Paramount platforms, will act as a fittingly extravagant and entertaining prelude to the 83rd Golden Globes ceremony.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The mission was to show the flag, explore commercial opportunities – including routes to supply gold-mining operations – and display a little firepower.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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The launches follow Lumus supplying the waveguide used in Meta Ray-Ban Display AR glasses in 2025, a deal that demonstrated both optical performance and mass manufacturability of geometric waveguides.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Santana finished a weak fourth in the preliminary.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Black steel fixtures furnish the bathrooms, while linen bedspreads and curtains add a tactile touch.—
Chris Schalkx,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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She was charged with 20 felony counts related to child endangerment and more than 40 misdemeanor charges of furnishing alcohol to minors, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Described as experienced snowmobilers, the group had been prepared for a day of backcountry exploration and were well-equipped, even having avalanche beacons/transceivers.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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While each of these submarines is designed to carry up to 16 nuclear missiles, France only possesses 48 ballistic missiles—enough to arm three submarines, as the remaining vessel is always undergoing routine maintenance, the Nuclear Information Project said.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Last session, lawmakers nearly passed a $3 million bill to help school districts educate students who need additional services, like a full-time nurse or an ASL interpreter, that can cost more than $50,000.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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