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)
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Taking advantage of any hint of a mid-winter warm-up, Vernal Witchhazel will pop out massive flower crops — a single mature plant providing enough fragrance to fill several residential yards.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
The tariffs case must therefore be understood as a warm-up act in the fight to preserve the core of American democracy, rather than the main event.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
The new facility offers several upgrades for Georgia’s men’s and women’s track and field and cross country teams, including an indoor five-lane, 100-meter warm-up track.
—Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
The National Weather Service expects temperatures in Central Park to fall just short of 50 degrees Wednesday, then dip to 45 degrees Thursday before a weekend warm-up begins.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Taking advantage of any hint of a mid-winter warm-up, Vernal Witchhazel will pop out massive flower crops — a single mature plant providing enough fragrance to fill several residential yards.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
The tariffs case must therefore be understood as a warm-up act in the fight to preserve the core of American democracy, rather than the main event.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
The new facility offers several upgrades for Georgia’s men’s and women’s track and field and cross country teams, including an indoor five-lane, 100-meter warm-up track.
—Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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As people come in, the money goes back into neighborhoods as police and firemen, snowplows and road crews — the infrastructure and services residents expect government to provide.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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Now, Beaudet and her colleagues have digitally rearranged the facial bones to their rightful places, providing a clearer look at Little Foot’s face — and hinting at features that may be shared across the human family tree.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As Bill Callahan celebrates the release of new album My Days of 58, the stalwart singer-songwriter has unveiled a prelude to his May tour of North America.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
5 Mar. 2026
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That was just a prelude of an incredible ending in which the Red Devils won the final four events of the meet, breaking state records in three of them.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Marzan was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines — a unit tasked with supplying troops with food, fuel, ammunition and equipment — and deployed to Kuwait to support the war effort.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Bailey Nurseries, founded in 1905, is a family-run business that supplies plants nationally and is known for its Endless Summer Hydrangeas, First Editions Plants and Easy Elegance Roses.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The hockey playoffs weren’t affected by the storm and are expected to start on March 2 with Division II preliminaries.—
Jacob Rousseau,
The Providence Journal,
26 Feb. 2026
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Switzerland crushed Germany in the men’s curling preliminaries, keeping a consistent lead before ending the game with a score of 8-4.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The prize, furnished by presenting sponsor Dawn Powerwash — luckily, smooth delivery of product placement is old hat for Lakshmi — is also a statement of purpose for the first cooking show to air on CBS in over a decade.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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When furnishing the space, don’t be afraid to explore different eras and even incorporate modern pieces.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Up to 40,000 American troops are stationed across the region, equipped with advanced US missile-defense systems.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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That includes finding an alternative shelter location that is equipped with showers.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Any attempt to arm Iranian Kurdish groups would need support from the Iraqi Kurds to let the weapons transit and use Iraqi Kurdistan as a launching ground.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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Seen at Loewe, Tory Burch, and Saint Laurent, shield sunglasses are meant to arm you from the (still elusive) sun’s rays with an impossible aura of cool.—
Talia Abbas,
Vogue,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Plus, the Chicago Herpetological Society will be educating attendees on wildlife conservation efforts while the Fox Valley Electric Auto Association showcases the benefits of driving an electric vehicle, the city’s news release said.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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