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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Burke's preliminary is scheduled to begin May 26.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Tickets to the mixed archery preliminary set me back $110 each, then $85 each for the mixed equestrian preliminary.—
Personal Finance Columnist,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Renovated in 2023, the traditional Goan style continues in guest rooms with parquet floors, cane weave chairs, antique-style wardrobes with mirrors and headboards, and furnished balconies or terraces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
The archways are furnished with sluice gates that can open to allow excess water to pass through in periods of flooding.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
In the unit, which is equipped like an intensive care unit, patients can range from well and stable to critically ill.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
11 May 2026
-
This is the part of modern pop stardom that Larsson is perhaps uniquely equipped for.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The other kind tells the harsh truth to arm her against life’s inevitable horrors.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
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.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
12 May 2026
-
The group, along with other classmates, is working to educate their peers about the potential effects data centers can have on our communities.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
