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
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Recent Examples of warm-ups
During her on-court warm-ups, Osaka donned a zip-up jacket with organic, wavy tendrils hanging from the sleeves.
—
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Konsta Helenius took warm-ups on Saturday but didn’t make his NHL debut.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Forward John Collins was a late scratch after experiencing soreness in his groin area during pregame warm-ups.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
Morning workouts may boost mood, sleep, blood pressure, and weight loss but require warm-ups and adequate fueling.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 9 Jan. 2026
During early warm-ups for the Broncos-Chargers game, Dobbins spent over 30 minutes catching up with former Los Angeles teammates and coaches, darting over to the stands to sign a few autographs.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
To avoid injury, weekend exercisers should prioritize proper warm-ups and allow for adequate recovery time between workouts.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
Right, an Indianapolis Colts player is seen in a file photo during warm-ups before the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6, 2024.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
An errant throw during warm-ups before the start of the ninth inning struck him on the left side of the jaw.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Konsta Helenius took warm-ups on Saturday but didn’t make his NHL debut.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Forward John Collins was a late scratch after experiencing soreness in his groin area during pregame warm-ups.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
Morning workouts may boost mood, sleep, blood pressure, and weight loss but require warm-ups and adequate fueling.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 9 Jan. 2026
During early warm-ups for the Broncos-Chargers game, Dobbins spent over 30 minutes catching up with former Los Angeles teammates and coaches, darting over to the stands to sign a few autographs.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
To avoid injury, weekend exercisers should prioritize proper warm-ups and allow for adequate recovery time between workouts.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
Right, an Indianapolis Colts player is seen in a file photo during warm-ups before the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6, 2024.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
An errant throw during warm-ups before the start of the ninth inning struck him on the left side of the jaw.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm-ups
preliminaries
Noun
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Lower‑demand preliminaries will likely be the most affordable, while high‑profile events—gymnastics finals, swimming finals, track and field, and the opening ceremony—will sit at the top end of the pricing spectrum.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Jan. 2026
-
The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
21 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm-ups. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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