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)
Kieran Alger, Wired News, 7 May 2025
Consider this weekend our first warm-up for the W, the initial stretch to get our eyes and minds back into game-watching shape.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Monday: Run/Walk Intervals 5-minute warm-up Walk 90 seconds, run 3.5 minutes (repeat 4 times)
5-to-10-minute cooldown
Total time: 30–35 minutes
(back to top)
Tuesday: Active Recovery (Optional) or Rest
Today’s a rest day with an option for an active recovery routine.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
Experts recommend drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water two to three hours before a workout and 8 ounces every 20 to 30 minutes during warm-ups.
—Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
After an obligatory Bane impersonation and a 10 minute warm-up on the treadmill, I was asked to maintain a series of 5 minute efforts, running around 10 seconds slower than my target marathon pace in each of my test shoes.
—Kieran Alger, Wired News, 7 May 2025
Consider this weekend our first warm-up for the W, the initial stretch to get our eyes and minds back into game-watching shape.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Monday: Run/Walk Intervals 5-minute warm-up Walk 90 seconds, run 3.5 minutes (repeat 4 times)
5-to-10-minute cooldown
Total time: 30–35 minutes
(back to top)
Tuesday: Active Recovery (Optional) or Rest
Today’s a rest day with an option for an active recovery routine.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
Experts recommend drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water two to three hours before a workout and 8 ounces every 20 to 30 minutes during warm-ups.
—Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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The information and opinions contained in this article are provided by the author and have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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The proposal would not provide full expensing for foreign R&D expenditures.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Many legal experts consider this questioning of a private right of action as the prelude to the next potential showdown over the Voting Rights Act at the Supreme Court, where multiple rulings by the court's conservative majority have eroded the law's protections over the past decade.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
14 May 2025
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And that was just the prelude to the evening’s main event: a runway show of the 163 jewels in Diorexquis, and 25 couture creations by Maria Grazia Chiuri, staged around an ornamental reflecting pool that, at 45 meters, stops just shy of Olympic dimensions.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
6 May 2025
Verb
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The firm supplies major EV makers – including Volkswagen, Stellantis and BMW – and its overseas sales accounted for over 30% of its revenue last year, according to a May 12 stock exchange filing.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
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This was originally supplied as a UK conversion factor between 2007-2011 and last updated in 2014, with caveats on reliability and usage in reporting.—
Hugo Kimber,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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And this month, he was seeded No. 1 in the Division II 50-yard freestyle at CIF and won in the preliminaries before being edged in the finals by 0.05 seconds.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
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As a preliminary for Roland Garros, a good run in Rome will do just fine to get the rust out of the racket.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Verb
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Audo House opened in 2019 in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district as the flagship home of luxury Danish brand Audo Copenhagen, and the rooms are furnished in a classic Scandinavian style with the brand’s furniture, lighting, and accessories.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Photo : Become Legendary The other bedroom is furnished as an office.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
21 May 2025
Verb
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The festival has said that the closing ceremony on Saturday evening will go ahead as planned thanks to the fact the Palais des Festivals is equipped with independent power.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
24 May 2025
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Royal Gourmet 5-Burner Propane Gas Grill This propane grill is equipped to handle all your barbecues with cast iron cooking grates, a removable grease tray for easy cleanup, side table, and side burner to cook side dishes simultaneously.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Candidates should come to each interview armed with anecdotes that demonstrate their tactical experience and people skills.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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According to Devlin’s report, Shoemaker-Gonzalez stole the man’s Toyota RAV4 and headed toward Bristol where police were told to be on the lookout around 12:20 p.m. for a vehicle taken during a carjacking involving a suspect armed with a knife.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
21 May 2025
Verb
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From tackling the country’s vicious dictatorship to honing in on intimate personal narratives while shattering taboos, Chilean documentary filmmakers continue to push boundaries and adapt to the pulse of broader social cues, committing to wide-ranging themes that not only educate, but enthral.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
17 May 2025
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Having traveled to 75 countries, bought real estate in 24, established businesses in 7, and educated her children in 4, Kathleen is the go-to expert on expat life.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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