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)
Tom Williams, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Practice these two exercises a few times a week as stand-alone mobility drills or incorporated into your workouts as part of your warm-up.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Their conversation described the power of plyometrics, sprinting and, most intriguingly, skipping — not just as a warm-up or a child’s game, but as a foundational movement for health and performance at any age.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Both performances are a warm-up for the year, as Cyrus gets ready to release more new music and a tour on the way.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Mbappe could be seen giving several of his team-mates one-on-one pep talks during the pre-match warm-up.
—Tom Williams, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Practice these two exercises a few times a week as stand-alone mobility drills or incorporated into your workouts as part of your warm-up.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Their conversation described the power of plyometrics, sprinting and, most intriguingly, skipping — not just as a warm-up or a child’s game, but as a foundational movement for health and performance at any age.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Both performances are a warm-up for the year, as Cyrus gets ready to release more new music and a tour on the way.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
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This analysis provides a useful framework for identifying where basketball demand may be strongest and where opportunities for future growth could emerge.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Three Point Capital provided the loan on the New Mexico Tax Credit. Martindale is represented by Gersh, Peikoff Mahan and Wolf Kasteler.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Neither side wants war and both sides appear to treat this as a prelude to negotiations.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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At the Grand Slam, the women’s final is always on a Saturday, serving as a prelude to the men’s final on a Sunday.—
Gavriella Epstein-Lightman,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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At this point, the measure was at its highest value since April 14, 2024, additional figures supplied by Blockforce Capital reveal.—
Charles Lloyd Bovaird II,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Secondly, there is a very important business equation here, because Gavi spent more on vaccines supplied by U.S. companies than any other country in the world.—
Alice Park,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Her six-game outburst in the state preliminaries screamed of consistency, with no score lower than 217 and none higher than 269.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
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During the preliminaries on Feb. 28, the Red Devils broke the national record in the 200 medley relay, as Bey teamed with sophomore Luke Vatev, senior Henry Guo and junior Matthew Vatev to time 1 minute, 26.75 seconds.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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All room categories, including cabins, feature private balconies or porches furnished with a table and rocking chairs that invite guests to relax with a bottle of wine and a deck of cards after a long day of hiking and exploring.—
Sophie Mendel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
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First used as a storage space, it was furnished under Andrew Jackson and later renovated by Theodore Roosevelt.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The danger is, however, that when long-standing members of staff assume complex and often difficult leadership roles, they won’t be equipped to deal with the pressures.—
Trevor Clawson,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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It's equipped for streaming, browsing, or basic productivity tools like Google Workspace March 30 at 11:59 p.m.—
StackCommerce Team (Sponsored),
PCMAG,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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If we were also armed with an atomic bomb, Trump would not dare threaten bombing.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
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The son’s friend, armed with a legal firearm, tried to intervene and eventually shot the father dead, officials said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Literacy was seen as a major factor in pre-war slave unrest, and attempts to educate Southern Blacks were greeted with everything from suspicion to violent opposition.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Mercedes also has an easier audience to sell EVs to -- their customers are educated and more willing to try new things.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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