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
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Recent Examples of warm (up)
Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Next comes the drier warm-up, which is expected to last at least through Wednesday of next week.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
The total workout, including warm-up and cool-down, takes roughly 30-40 minutes and needs to be performed only once or twice per week.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Check out these top warm-up moves trainers never skip.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Verb
The Americans own a 488-minute scoreless streak in Jersey, dating back to a World Cup warm-up match, a 2-1 triumph over Turkey on June 1, 2014.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Next comes the drier warm-up, which is expected to last at least through Wednesday of next week.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
The total workout, including warm-up and cool-down, takes roughly 30-40 minutes and needs to be performed only once or twice per week.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Check out these top warm-up moves trainers never skip.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warm (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warm (up)
Noun
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This is especially true when considering its journey through fickle and quick-witted Gemini, a prelude of what’s to come after its official debut on July 7 for the first time in 84 years.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
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That sweep of the Red Sox was just a prelude to six additional series for the Orioles over the season’s final six weeks that could alter the playoff picture in two different leagues.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That game, however, is unavailable for buyers of season-ticket packages according to emails and screenshots provided to SportsMoney by multiple season ticket holders.—
Andrew Wagner,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The violation is the eleventh recorded since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, according to Defense Ministry figures provided to ABC News.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Galvin’s spokesperson said the issue was not related with the city’s administration of the preliminary.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The same is true at mining sites that supply the minerals essential for AI hardware, where the extraction and refining are poisonous for the local environment, writes environmental studies and public policy scholar Sophia Kalantzakos.—
Michaela Rychetska,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Sep. 2025
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In addition to its sous vide line, the Fort Worth plant will also supply roast beef to Arby’s, Rosenthal Blumenfeld said.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Looking to furnish your outdoor space?—
Elissa Suh,
Architectural Digest,
17 Sep. 2025
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Think furnished canvas tents or yurts, proper beds, electricity, and often heating and/or air conditioning.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Czechia’s largest nuclear power plant will be equipped with massive 2,000-ton turbine generators in what is considered the largest modernization project in the history of the country’s nuclear operations.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
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Property managers are better equipped to respond to concerns, not just review past incidents.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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We’d be traveling to a bunker near another unit, Team B, which would assemble suicide drones and arm them with explosives.—
Ken Harbaugh,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
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Topline Shares of gun manufacturers spiked immediately following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus Wednesday, a market trend that typically happens after high-profile shootings as people tend to arm themselves and fear possible restrictions on gun sales.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He was inspired to start the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness following his surgeries and the nonprofit's aim was to educate the public about organ and tissue donation.—
Stephanie Kaloi,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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Instead of outsourcing all financial decisions to an advisor or ignoring them out of fear, entrepreneurs are taking small, intentional steps to educate themselves.—
Alejandra Rojas,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warm%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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