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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of warm (up)
Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Maryland players take turns competing by chucking half-court shots in warm-ups before every game.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2025
Establish a pre-exercise routine: Set a sequence of events, such as changing into workout clothes, setting up music, doing a warm-up, and so forth.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
The cooler and wetter weather follows a brief warm-up that saw two Central Coast cities set new daily high temperature records and one Bay Area city tie its previous record.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
Amorim has consistently spoken of the importance of set pieces — indeed his team practise them in warm-ups ahead of games, with coaches acting as opposition defenders.
—Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Maryland players take turns competing by chucking half-court shots in warm-ups before every game.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2025
Establish a pre-exercise routine: Set a sequence of events, such as changing into workout clothes, setting up music, doing a warm-up, and so forth.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
The cooler and wetter weather follows a brief warm-up that saw two Central Coast cities set new daily high temperature records and one Bay Area city tie its previous record.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
-
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
-
According to court records, investigators believe that Carson had dealt cocaine to Harrington in the past, and that Willis had provided Harrington, Ricky Johnson and McGeeney with cocaine on other occasions.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Indeed, Saudi officials may view their engagement with U.S. officials over Ukraine as the prelude to further diplomatic cooperation.—
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen,
The Conversation,
14 Mar. 2025
-
This is all prelude; the story begins for real with NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
President Trump said that the Houthis face inevitable and escalating destruction and warned Iran to stop supplying the Yemeni militant group.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The four plaintiffs worked on three different fishing vessels which supplied tuna to Bumble Bee, according to the legal complaint, which was filed on March 12 in federal court in California.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Without wisdom, even the most experienced leader, armed with an MBA and years of training, can still make countless mistakes.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Rone, armed with plenty of snacks, was prepared to sit through it.—
Alice Jones Webb,
Outdoor Life,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The nonprofit sector should leverage this potential wealth transfer by investing time in educating donors about the importance of unrestricted gifts.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The state agencies charged with addressing hard drug addiction and the safe use of cannabis are failing to educate the public as to the dangers of drug use.—
Howard Husock,
New York Daily News,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share