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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All three refused to provide identification or sign arrest paperwork, and were identified only after their pictures were shown to an FBI agent, police said.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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However, the company declined to provide NPR with an update on the vehicle's development.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
19 Feb. 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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France sold him Mirage fighter jets, the Reagan administration gave him U.S. intelligence, and the Soviets supplied tanks and missiles.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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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
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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To that end, the university’s Basic Needs Services office, which furnishes a variety of programs and support to help Titans experiencing unforeseen financial hardship, is offering Financial Wellness Peer Mentoring.—
Contributing Writer,
Orange County Register,
14 Feb. 2025
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From mid-century modern bed frames to high-quality outdoor tables for al fresco hosting, this comprehensive sale boasts enough deals to furnish virtually any space.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The trucks are equipped with chrome front grille deflectors that may fracture and may detach from the vehicle, according to the recall report.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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The zones will be equipped with mobile houses and shelters, with humanitarian aid streaming in.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, armed with a translation device developed by sympathetic science crew member Dorothy (Patsy Ferran), Mickey 17 defies Marshall’s leadership to warn the creepers, who have their own resilient means of retaliation.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Feb. 2025
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Some Black leaders and residents in greater Cincinnati expressed dismay after armed, masked neo-Nazis were allowed to gather on a freeway bridge without arrest.—
Antonia Hylton,
NBC News,
12 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 1 Mar. 2025.
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