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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Recent Examples of warm (up)
Rudy Mawer, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025
There were very few empty seats (which is atypical for a weeknight Dodger game, as fans fight traffic and a less-than-fan-friendly parking lot) as Ohtani began his warm-up tosses.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Incorporate warm-up and cooldown exercises to ease into exercising and protect your muscles from injury.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 16 June 2025
Father’s Day can sometimes seem like an afterthought in the late-spring holiday lineup: third place behind Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, a mere warm-up barbecue before the Fourth of July.
—Augustine Sedgewick, Time, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Verb
Podcasts, business publications and niche platforms are your warm-up stage.
—Rudy Mawer, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025
There were very few empty seats (which is atypical for a weeknight Dodger game, as fans fight traffic and a less-than-fan-friendly parking lot) as Ohtani began his warm-up tosses.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Incorporate warm-up and cooldown exercises to ease into exercising and protect your muscles from injury.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 16 June 2025
Father’s Day can sometimes seem like an afterthought in the late-spring holiday lineup: third place behind Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, a mere warm-up barbecue before the Fourth of July.
—Augustine Sedgewick, Time, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Noun
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Perhaps as a prelude to a settlement, Salem Media just issued another apology for allowing Colorado podcaster Joe Oltmann to voice false statements about Coomer on air.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
20 June 2025
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That latest dot plot carried preludes to stagflation—among the most catastrophic economic scenarios.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
18 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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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
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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
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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Earth-moving robots equipped with folding mechanical arms, just under four feet wide, use artificial intelligence to tell the difference between clay and solid obstacles.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
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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Instead, follow new rules: Entertain first, then inspire or educate.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Elite provides hybrid education and online school — mainly homeschooling — to about 1,800 students who are primarily taught by their parents or private vendors who Elite pays to educate its students.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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