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
Examples 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)
Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025
His last-minute debut in Abu Dhabi after Ocon’s abrupt exit was really just a warm-up before properly getting into the thick of the action this year.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Alcaraz did not play any warm-up tournaments ahead of Melbourne.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Maybe that’s a month of a weekly Pilates class, or two weeks of a gentle warm-up before each workout.
—Anna Maltby, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for warm (up) 
Noun
There are a few inexpensive ways to keep cold air out of your home, and purchasing a space heater is the easiest solution for a quick warm-up.
—Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025
His last-minute debut in Abu Dhabi after Ocon’s abrupt exit was really just a warm-up before properly getting into the thick of the action this year.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Alcaraz did not play any warm-up tournaments ahead of Melbourne.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Maybe that’s a month of a weekly Pilates class, or two weeks of a gentle warm-up before each workout.
—Anna Maltby, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Verb
-
As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.Trefis Team, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
-
The Grammys must be held in a major venue of that size because ticket sales provide an enormous percentage of its annual revenue, along with the network TV broadcast — which will be CBS until 2027, when Disney takes over.Jem Aswad, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
At times, the session, which lasted over five hours, seemed to be a prelude to the as-yet unscheduled confirmation hearings for Kash Patel, Mr. Trump’s pick to run the F.B.I., which is part of the Justice Department.Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
-
What will happen with his fandom will be a prelude of what’s to come.Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The persistently positive Quinn and his staff supply the front office with a detailed list of preferences.Ben Standig, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
-
The department did supply his personnel file, which contains no red flags over a two-decade career.Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Southern Section held its track and field preliminaries at four sites around Southern California on Saturday, and sophomore Brian Bonner of Valencia High continued his rise to prominence.Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
-
In 1988: Greg Louganis won the gold medal in the 3-meter springboard at the Seoul Olympics one day after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminaries.Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
Other cities around the planet had heavy industries and daily traffic jams, but L.A.’s geography furnishes its sky with a long memory.Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Each day brought new costs: $47,000 for an HVAC system; $170,000 to the general contractor; $130,000 to stock the playground and furnish the building.ProPublica, ProPublica, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Pentagon said Friday that two military C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with a firefighting system are now on the scene, according to Military.com.Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
-
However, the fundamental core of the creative process remains unchanged; talented individuals, equipped with the appropriate tools, are ultimately responsible for bringing new ideas to life.Kimberly A. Whitler, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
David Lee, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Webtoon Entertainment, came to the Entertainment Summit armed with eye-popping numbers that helped attendees understand the scope of the webtoon phenomenon.Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
-
China is one of the nine nations armed with nuclear weapons.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Eaddy says the focus of the festival is to entertain, educate and inspire Black story tellers who have a desire to create stories of the struggles and the joys of the Black community.Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Jan. 2025
-
Face the facts as to what some Republicans believe about who should be educated, who should have the opportunities to advance themselves, who should have advanced degrees, who should be doctors and lawyers and engineers and scientists.Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near warm (up)
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share