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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of warm (up)
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
If the Roots Picnic performance was just a warm-up, then Jay-Z is very well on track to have the summer on lock yet again, without so much as a new single to his name.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 May 2026
To protect your joints, begin with a warm-up and finish with a cool-down.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 May 2026
Even the pace car, which leads the field through several warm-up laps prior to the start of the race and also leads the field during caution periods to slow the cars on the track, drives at about 110 mph.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Sabalenka started with an easy warm-up before laughing while transitioning to one of the signature dances from the King of Pop’s official music video.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
If the Roots Picnic performance was just a warm-up, then Jay-Z is very well on track to have the summer on lock yet again, without so much as a new single to his name.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 May 2026
To protect your joints, begin with a warm-up and finish with a cool-down.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 May 2026
Even the pace car, which leads the field through several warm-up laps prior to the start of the race and also leads the field during caution periods to slow the cars on the track, drives at about 110 mph.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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Eyewitnesses said none of the soldiers present helped provide medical attention.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Witnesses provided officers with a photograph and description of the suspect's vehicle, helping investigators quickly identify and locate Harmon.—
Caroline Foreback,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Noun
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In Germany itself, references to the Weimar Republic, the fragile democracy that preceded Hitler’s rise to power, are a staple of public debate as an unmistakable prelude-to-Hitler warning.—
Katja Hoyer,
Washington Post,
9 June 2026
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But all that was just a prelude to the eight-match CONCACAF Championship in 1989, the qualifying tournament for the next World Cup in Italy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The fourth time, a bigger dam is built on their land to supply hydropower.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
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Moscow also controls a significant portion of Armenia’s energy and infrastructure and supplies it with cheap gas, which is a point that Putin has been quick to drive home in his meetings with Pashinyan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
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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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Offered fully furnished, the over 4,000-square-foot home features four bedrooms and five full bathrooms.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
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Children are free to just hang out in rooms furnished with bean-bag chairs, video games, surround sound speakers, big screen televisions and plenty of snacks.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The China Daily report notes that SAIC Motor’s MG brand has equipped its MG4 and MG4X electric vehicles with hybrid solid-liquid batteries developed in partnership with battery manufacturer Qingtao Energy.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
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The kitchen is nearby and is equipped with a sink, an induction cooktop, an oven, a fridge/freezer, and, optionally, a dishwasher.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Congress has pledged to better arm Taiwan, giving preliminary approval to a $14 billion arms sales package.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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The decision to end the core pillar of Europe’s largest defense project comes at a time when Western military officials have warned of a growing threat from Russia and the US is stepping up pressure for Europe to re-arm itself.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The program is a half-day, in-depth course to educate attendees on the principles used by firefighters in suppressing wildland fire and protecting structures in the Wildland Urban Interface, said workshop organizers.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
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As the World Cup tourists arrive, the national seashore is educating them about how to stay safe at local beaches.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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