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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of warm (up)
Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
If your central heating doesn’t adequately reach all the drafty corners of your home, a mini space heater is the easiest solution for a quick warm-up.
—Toni Sutton, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Stretch your arms, legs and back muscles with simple, warm-up exercises to reduce muscle strain.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
How the car warm-up routine began The winter warm-up routine started decades ago when vehicles were more prone to stalling in frigid temperatures, according to Carfax.
—Jalen Williams, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
State of play: Teams are treating the tournament as a warm-up for Milano Cortina 2026, the first Winter Olympics since 2014 in which NHL players will compete.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
If your central heating doesn’t adequately reach all the drafty corners of your home, a mini space heater is the easiest solution for a quick warm-up.
—Toni Sutton, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Stretch your arms, legs and back muscles with simple, warm-up exercises to reduce muscle strain.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
How the car warm-up routine began The winter warm-up routine started decades ago when vehicles were more prone to stalling in frigid temperatures, according to Carfax.
—Jalen Williams, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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The upper stage ended up exploding over the Atlantic Ocean, providing a dramatic sky show for people in the Turks and Caicos Islands and nearby areas.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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The Context Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week entered its fourth year, with the U.S. previously providing billions in military and humanitarian support.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on the same day that Ukraine would have to concede Crimea, an area of Ukraine that was seized by Russia in 2014 in a prelude to the current conflict, and its aspirations to NATO membership in order to reach a peace agreement.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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The new ongoing series will launch with a 10-page prelude by Slott and Albuquerque in DC All In 2025 FCBD Special Edition No. 1 on May 3 as part of DC’s Free Comic Book Day programming.—
Borys Kit,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The unit supplies current to the vehicle’s charging control unit (CCU), which converts it to DC power.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
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The river supplies around 40 million people with drinking water, is the foundation for a massive agricultural economy across the Southwest, and generates significant hydroelectric power.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And just by being around his Team Canada teammates, Crosby is doing what Iginla and others did for him back in 2010, when Canada lost to the U.S. in the preliminaries and beat it in the gold medal game.—
Arpon Basu,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Sophomore Charlie Cutts was the only Saber to make the finals (top eight) in an individual event from the preliminaries Feb. 21.—
Tom Schardin,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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There are also deals on matching furniture sets that take the guesswork out of furnishing a deck, patio, or backyard.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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Rooms, furnished in timelessly elegant style, start at 459 Canadian dollars, or about $321, for a double in winter.—
Cindy Hirschfeld,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The shift from demanding certainty to seeking understanding equips leaders to adapt to an unpredictable world.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Project 713, a 195-foot superyacht with a blue-gray hull, is the first vessel from the company to be equipped with solar cells for power, alongside its diesel-electric main propulsion.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Juve armed the former Bologna coach with €200m of new players, and while Motta has to take some of the blame for his refusal to play certain players in their correct position, the former Inter midfielder has, for the first time, publicly criticised his players in the aftermath of the cup defeat.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Mister Fear As the name suggests, Mister Fear is Marvel's answer to DC's scarecrow: a villain armed with fear gas, forcing his victims to relive their worst nightmares.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Stanford educated Soubhik Dawn, a two-time founder and seasoned product management professional, understands the abyss that confronts many job seekers.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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The organization works with Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, a non-governmental group that promotes and protects human rights in the country, to educate state bodies, such as the Nigerian military, on the experiences of trans Nigerians.—
Damisola Sulaiman,
The Dial,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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