as in preludes
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
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Recent Examples of warm-ups
With pockets of protests against the Iranian government unfolding outside SoFi Stadium, Iran just took the field for warm-ups.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
The New Jersey preteen was struck in the neck by a baseball during pregame warm-ups with Maple Shade Youth Baseball on May 26.
—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Made from a breathable, sweat-wicking fabric, these versatile pants are perfect for light activities like long walks, warm-ups, running errands, and busy travel days.
—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
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
Once again the Joker to Mendoza’s Batman, Diego Pavia reveals he overslept and missed pregame warm-ups against Bama.
—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
The weather service office in New York said pronounced warm-ups are expected Monday with above-normal temperatures through most of the week.
—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
All have been personally worn by Curry during tunnel walks, warm-ups, and/or games.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2026
During warm-ups on Tuesday, Donovan Sebrango appeared to have been the only Panthers player to wrap rainbow tape onto his hockey stick.
—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
The New Jersey preteen was struck in the neck by a baseball during pregame warm-ups with Maple Shade Youth Baseball on May 26.
—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Made from a breathable, sweat-wicking fabric, these versatile pants are perfect for light activities like long walks, warm-ups, running errands, and busy travel days.
—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
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
Once again the Joker to Mendoza’s Batman, Diego Pavia reveals he overslept and missed pregame warm-ups against Bama.
—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
The weather service office in New York said pronounced warm-ups are expected Monday with above-normal temperatures through most of the week.
—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
All have been personally worn by Curry during tunnel walks, warm-ups, and/or games.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2026
During warm-ups on Tuesday, Donovan Sebrango appeared to have been the only Panthers player to wrap rainbow tape onto his hockey stick.
—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm-ups
preliminaries
Noun
-
The meet continues Thursday, a day consisting largely of women’s preliminaries, followed by men’s finals Friday and women’s finals Saturday.
-
Hernandez, now a Southern Section champion again, along with all the other winners will move onto the CIF preliminaries next Saturday to face the rest of the state's top female jumpers, with a chance to get back to the state finals.
Cite this Entry
“Warm-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm-ups. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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