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)
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Temperatures are rising across the Pittsburgh area, and while people are welcoming the break from the bitter cold, that rapid warm-up could come with risks.
—Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Start out with this as a warm-up.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
England, who will be among the favourites for the tournament despite not winning the World Cup since 1966, will play their final fixtures on home soil against Uruguay and Japan next month, before warm-up fixtures against New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida in June.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Consider the following recipes and techniques a warm-up for your cabbage-centric adventures.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Temperatures are rising across the Pittsburgh area, and while people are welcoming the break from the bitter cold, that rapid warm-up could come with risks.
—Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Start out with this as a warm-up.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
England, who will be among the favourites for the tournament despite not winning the World Cup since 1966, will play their final fixtures on home soil against Uruguay and Japan next month, before warm-up fixtures against New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida in June.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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Private cottages provide extra space and solitude, plus special amenities like outdoor soaking tubs, dining areas, and kitchens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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The most advanced pediatric care in the state is provided at the Medical University of South Carolina’s campus in Charleston, several hours away from the Upstate on the coast.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This self-mocking move may be just the prelude to a fuller jeans-guy renaissance, Heffernan suggested.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
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Experts view these displays as a prelude to deploying robots in factories and logistics centers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For instance, purebred Tajima Kuoge Wagyu cow beef, aged a minimum of 36 months, is supplied to a very limited number of restaurants worldwide, including Tsukimi, the Japanese eatery at the hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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Some experts estimate that just a handful of such caverns could supply enough electricity to power around 20 million homes for a day, based on average household demand in Brisbane.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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Meanwhile, the men’s hockey teams continue to navigate the preliminaries after a later start to their tournament.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The balcony is spacious, furnished with two chairs and a side table.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Appointed in all of Adler’s favorite patterns and paint colors and furnished with beloved pieces both bespoke and long-held, the end result is the embodiment of her aesthetic perspective—and a helpful place to bring potential clients.—
David Foxley,
Architectural Digest,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Neither pilot was able to receive information from the other because their aircraft were only equipped to transmit, not receive, ADS-B information.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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The property is equipped with a heating system.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chris Sale and Spencer Strider top the rotation and, when healthy and at their best, arm the Braves with one of baseball’s best rotation duos.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
17 Feb. 2026
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One way of handling the drone threat would be to arm merchant ships and equip them with sensor suites.—
David Szondy
February 15,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
24 Feb. 2026
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One of our guests, John Davidson MBE has Tourette Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of the condition.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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