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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The standard-size chair has a slim back that keeps it from being bulky and still provides ergonomic support.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
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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New rules from the U.S. government mean library officials must as of Monday limit access via the Canadian side to staff and people with disabilities, as a prelude to closing it off entirely later this year, library officials told USA TODAY.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
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While the diving kicked off Thursday, the swimming gets underway with preliminaries on Friday, with the finals for both swimming and diving slated for Saturday.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2025
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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
Verb
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Anyone who has had to furnish a home understands the cost -in terms of money and time assembling, arranging, and rearranging.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2025
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However, Bennett and director Guy Ritchie, who helms the first two episodes of the 10-part season, which were all that were furnished to critics for review, choose a unique vantage point for the narrative.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Schools must be equipped and required to implement best practices with fidelity.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
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At its core, WTR equips organizations with the tools to detect and monitor cultural shifts, ensuring that businesses don’t just survive but thrive in global markets.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 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 father, who was armed, allegedly shot both the mother and son, police said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
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 10 Apr. 2025.
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