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)
Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
As a warm-up act in a stadium, the big man exploited his hour to the fullest.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 25 June 2025
Besides being a warm-up for August’s Summer Fest, the party also was an opportunity to honor Henry Schiro, an early supporter of what was then known as the San Jose Jazz Society who served as its executive director for more than a decade.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Queen’s, sponsor-titled as the HSBC Championships, is the premier warm-up for Wimbledon at the start of the tennis grass-court season.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Verb
Capaldi has been slowly testing the waters of a comeback, performing a run of warm-up shows in Scotland as a guest of Tom Walker’s charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
As a warm-up act in a stadium, the big man exploited his hour to the fullest.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 25 June 2025
Besides being a warm-up for August’s Summer Fest, the party also was an opportunity to honor Henry Schiro, an early supporter of what was then known as the San Jose Jazz Society who served as its executive director for more than a decade.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Queen’s, sponsor-titled as the HSBC Championships, is the premier warm-up for Wimbledon at the start of the tennis grass-court season.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Noun
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The event will serve as a prelude to the main iHeartCountry Festival show later that evening at 7 p.m. the Moody Center.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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Yet the Southern California scores were a modest prelude to the job in Lebec.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Radar provides real-time reads on inventory continuously, and the kind of data that otherwise would only attained online through e-commerce.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
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Others will be looking to you for guidance this month, and your ability to provide stability will set the tone for what’s to come.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Today's listen Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Scripps National Spelling Bee is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week, with preliminaries kicking off last night.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
28 May 2025
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Sports High School Sports News See who qualified from Thursday's preliminaries for the CIFSS Division 1 finals on Saturday at Mt. SAC.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
8 May 2025
Verb
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After Belfield was arrested at the airport, Manchester police said he had been charged with murder, conspiracy to murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
25 June 2025
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The expenditures have already boosted Greece’s relationship with major powers like the U.S. and France, Piccoli said, partly because these nations supply military equipment to Athens.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Verb
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For instance, some people strive to buy second homes and then spend time decorating and furnishing these homes.—
Jann E. Freed,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Philip Lyle Smith and Carla Ferreira-Smith hold the listing, which is being offered fully furnished.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
1 June 2025
Verb
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It’s equipped with mirror cam systems to reduce drag compared to standard mirrors.—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Surprisingly, the new watch is equipped with the house’s first flying tourbillon.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Assuming that your definition of just fine includes being open to attack by anyone armed with an exploit for the latest security vulnerabilities.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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The government sent hundreds of F.B.I. agents, U.S. marshals, and others to the Wounded Knee trenches, armed with military equipment including armored personnel carriers and tear gas.—
Nick Estes,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Lin was educated in China and Europe, but lived in the U.S. for three decades.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
5 July 2025
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In 2021, the city created a civilian community liaison position to connect police with citizens and educate the public.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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