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)
Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
As a warm-up, here are seven shows happening across May in Kansas City.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Overall, the expectation is for a gradual, uneven warm-up rather than a sustained shift into consistently above-normal temperatures through mid-May.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Those places as well as the rest of the region are set to begin their warm-up on Tuesday.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Temperatures are expected to ramp up across Southern California this weekend, with some valley warm-ups expected to approach 100 degrees, just in time for Mother’s Day.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
As a warm-up, here are seven shows happening across May in Kansas City.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Overall, the expectation is for a gradual, uneven warm-up rather than a sustained shift into consistently above-normal temperatures through mid-May.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Those places as well as the rest of the region are set to begin their warm-up on Tuesday.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
-
Cameron Brink’s 10 points were the only ones provided by the Sparks’ bench, while the Tempo got 42 points from reserves.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
-
Accessibility Ocean Casino Resort strives to provide an accessible experience for all guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The race is a prelude to the Preakness, featuring 3-year-old fillies (female race horses).—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2026
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But the June ballot isn’t just a prelude to November — some races will be decided with it.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Across Oahu’s North Shore, an area famed for its big-wave surfing, the small farms that help supply the island’s food are struggling after back-to-back storms in March brought the state’s worst flooding in two decades.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
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Travis Miller, an energy and utilities analyst for Morningstar, said utility executives on earnings calls are emphasizing efforts to cut costs or protect residential customers from the cost to supply electricity to data centers.—
Marc Levy,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Hernandez, now a Southern Section champion again, along with all the other winners will move onto the CIF preliminaries next Saturday to face the rest of the state's top female jumpers, with a chance to get back to the state finals.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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Tennyson never made it to the Southern Section track preliminaries after winning the league title.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The layout is open and the living room is shown furnished here with a single chair, but has room for a sofa bed to be installed if the owner wants to boost sleeping space to six.—
Adam Williams
May 18,
New Atlas,
18 May 2026
-
She's accused of purchasing or furnishing alcohol to a minor.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Guest rooms and suites with spacious living areas are both available, all of course equipped with the famous Four Seasons mattresses and linens that nearly guarantee a sound night’s sleep.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
Riot police equipped with tactical gear were forced to march onto the field to quell the escalating unrest.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The other kind tells the harsh truth to arm her against life’s inevitable horrors.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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That, combined with his understandable nervousness, caused him to short-arm his first fastball, which sailed at Cey’s head, sending him sprawling into the dirt.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
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Several teachers on the staff have been a part of Ocean Week since its origins in 1993 including Halboth, Linda Tan and Christi Walter—all three are retiring this spring after giving 35 years of educating Rancho Santa Fe students.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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