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)
Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
Kelce, who played football for the Bearcats, spent plenty of time on the field during warm-ups in a red-and-white striped sweater before retreating to a suite for the game.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Clark will be a good warm-up for USC’s defense, which is under the command of D’Anton Lynn for the second season.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Easy Today’s Easy Pips is quite easy, but a good warm-up for the next two.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Verb
Each song will be a chance to focus on an expansive breath, an engaged core and an open throat, through warm-ups and guidance.
—Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
Kelce, who played football for the Bearcats, spent plenty of time on the field during warm-ups in a red-and-white striped sweater before retreating to a suite for the game.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Clark will be a good warm-up for USC’s defense, which is under the command of D’Anton Lynn for the second season.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Easy Today’s Easy Pips is quite easy, but a good warm-up for the next two.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Noun
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This is especially true when considering its journey through fickle and quick-witted Gemini, a prelude of what’s to come after its official debut on July 7 for the first time in 84 years.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
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That sweep of the Red Sox was just a prelude to six additional series for the Orioles over the season’s final six weeks that could alter the playoff picture in two different leagues.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That game, however, is unavailable for buyers of season-ticket packages according to emails and screenshots provided to SportsMoney by multiple season ticket holders.—
Andrew Wagner,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The violation is the eleventh recorded since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, according to Defense Ministry figures provided to ABC News.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Galvin’s spokesperson said the issue was not related with the city’s administration of the preliminary.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Helping to drive Oracle’s stock was the announcement of a massive $300 billion deal with OpenAI to supply the AI company with data center capacity.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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The plant creates its own electricity with diesel and supplies water through a well.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Available for sale on the company’s website, Ten Runner offers a taste that is on the stronger side for bourbon, while furnishing notes of caramel, almond, and apple, without too sweet a finish.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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In most organizations, furnishing an office is handled predictably.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Czechia’s largest nuclear power plant will be equipped with massive 2,000-ton turbine generators in what is considered the largest modernization project in the history of the country’s nuclear operations.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
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Property managers are better equipped to respond to concerns, not just review past incidents.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Topline Shares of gun manufacturers spiked immediately following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus Wednesday, a market trend that typically happens after high-profile shootings as people tend to arm themselves and fear possible restrictions on gun sales.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Now throw the object into the air again, moving your hand and arm faster this time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He was inspired to start the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness following his surgeries and the nonprofit's aim was to educate the public about organ and tissue donation.—
Stephanie Kaloi,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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Instead of outsourcing all financial decisions to an advisor or ignoring them out of fear, entrepreneurs are taking small, intentional steps to educate themselves.—
Alejandra Rojas,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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