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)
Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
That process starts before tipoff, as Dugalic said UCLA didn’t have its typical level of preparedness during warm-ups, and that carried into Saturday’s game.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Brownwood defeated Lake Worth, 2-0 in a playoff warm-up game in Brownwood on March 12.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Castle was a late scratch after his hip flared up during warm-ups.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
As this year’s opening act, Green was a solid warm-up for what was to come, a way for everything to find the rhythm.
—Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
That process starts before tipoff, as Dugalic said UCLA didn’t have its typical level of preparedness during warm-ups, and that carried into Saturday’s game.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Brownwood defeated Lake Worth, 2-0 in a playoff warm-up game in Brownwood on March 12.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Castle was a late scratch after his hip flared up during warm-ups.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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Ivery explained that the estimates are provided by the NFL and historical data.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For Sienna, the season was a prelude to greater things to come.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
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Or merely the prelude to yet more drama in the final few weeks of the season?—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Once controlled by governments, Earth observation has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry supplying near-real-time intelligence to clients worldwide.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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Attracting Beneficial Insects Nature supplies its own form of pest control through predators and parasitoids.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 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 board also authorized the administration to solicit bids for a long-term service contract to furnish custodial services for an evening shift or all custodial work.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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The HBCUs furnished them, and thousands of other students of color through the decades, with a sense of belonging.—
Larry D. Urish,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There is, however, a fitness center equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and resistance training, as well as an outdoor yoga platform with breathtaking vantage points and complimentary classes offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during sunrise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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Eleven months later, the transfer of knowledge is complete, and the girls emerge from the basement, equipped with their new powers, just as their family falls apart.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, the women held there stole as many as eight rifles from guards to arm the revolt.—
Chad S.A. Gibbs,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
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The person opened the door armed with a sword and stabbed a Boston Police officer in the arm and knocked the clinician to the ground, according to police.—
Riley Rourke,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Signs educate guests on the process of how the agave is fermented with yeast in large tanks and wooden vats.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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