curtain-raiser

noun

cur·​tain-rais·​er ˈkər-tᵊn-ˌrā-zər How to pronounce curtain-raiser (audio)
Synonyms of curtain-raisernext
1
: a short play usually of one scene that is presented before the main full-length drama
2
: a usually short preliminary to a main event

Synonyms of curtain-raiser

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Examples of curtain-raiser in a Sentence

the opening of the performing arts center proved to be a curtain-raiser for the rebirth of the city's downtown
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The second season served as a curtain-raiser for Kaitlyn Dever and her character, Abby. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 The world premiere of Hulu’s The Testaments is the curtain-raiser to this year’s Series Mania. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026 Dense, yet never overwhelming, The Sanhedrin Chronicles is merely the curtain-raiser for an epic spanning multiple sequels. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 In many ways, Canada’s 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday was the perfect curtain-raiser for the first-ever World Cup round of 32. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for curtain-raiser

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curtain-raiser was in 1886

Rhymes for curtain-raiser

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Browse Nearby Words

curtain off
curtain-raiser
curtain shutter
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Cite this Entry

“Curtain-raiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curtain-raiser. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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