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)
Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
The mood in the group was light, with Raducanu playing American football, football and cornhole during her warm-ups, and playing spikeball with her team just before going on court.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Marchand was greeted by plenty of fans around the ice during warm-ups and even flicked a puck into the stands toward one group to give them a keepsake.
—Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Participants first had a warm-up session that included walking and jumping to minimize data variability caused by muscle stiffness or unfamiliarity with the equipment.
—New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Noun
The team engaged in warm-ups and individual drills before transitioning into the heart of the scrimmage.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
The mood in the group was light, with Raducanu playing American football, football and cornhole during her warm-ups, and playing spikeball with her team just before going on court.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Marchand was greeted by plenty of fans around the ice during warm-ups and even flicked a puck into the stands toward one group to give them a keepsake.
—Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Participants first had a warm-up session that included walking and jumping to minimize data variability caused by muscle stiffness or unfamiliarity with the equipment.
—New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
-
The traffic alert was reported Tuesday at 5:02 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Tuesday at 5:08 p.m.—
Kansas City Star Bot,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Mac Studio is designed for professional use in more demanding applications, using the higher-tier M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips to provide workstation-grade performance.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Image Lacking indoor plumbing, the family basked in this sauna as a prelude to bathing in the cold lake.—
Julie Lasky,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Still, the comp’s opening stretch is really just a prelude to arguably the most momentous drummer swap in rock history: the arrival of Peart in August 1974.—
Hank Shteamer,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Schools must be equipped and required to implement best practices with fidelity.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
-
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
-
If we were also armed with an atomic bomb, Trump would not dare threaten bombing.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
-
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
-
Don't show up and ask someone there to educate you.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Charlotte Observer spoke to Chris Hayes, an extension associate of structural pest management at NC State University who specializes educating the pest management industry on critter habits, to find out.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share