curtain-raisers

noun

plural of curtain-raiser
as in preludes
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event the opening of the performing arts center proved to be a curtain-raiser for the rebirth of the city's downtown

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 curtain-raisers After epic curtain-raisers in 1970 and 1986, this year’s inaugural match will feature a resurgent Mexico against a youthful South Africa team. — Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtain-raisers
  1. overtures
  2. preliminaries
Noun
  • Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller, Brighton’s Carlos Belaba, Botafogo’s Danilo and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson were among them, while overtures were made regarding Victor Froholdt’s availability at Porto.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The United States had been looking for an interlocutor with Cuba and made overtures with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former Cuban president Raúl Castro, according to an exclusive USA TODAY interview in July.
    — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of overtures
Noun
  • Used to last-minute quick changes, Becker recalls preliminaries from this year’s state pageant.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But all of that was just the preliminaries for Grady Emerson.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
Definition of preliminaries

Browse Nearby Words

curtain-raiser
curtain-raisers
curtains
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Cite this Entry

“Curtain-raisers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtain-raisers. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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