as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
the parade down Main Street served as the overture for a weekend of fun and festivities
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Recent Examples of overture
That could lead to overtures for Kawhi Leonard, perhaps reconsideration of Morant or, now, the somewhat wild notion of Trae Young.
—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2026
In his keynote speech in Washington last week, just hours after Trump signed the executive order, Hawley went a step further than his recent overtures to American workers.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
9 June 2026
The visit will be Xi’s first to North Korea since 2019, and the latest overture from Beijing to warm a historical but often complicated relationship with its neighbor.
—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
After accepting the role, Abdul-Mateen extended an overture to build a rapport offscreen in service of their onscreen relationship, but much to his surprise, Kingsley rebuffed the offer.
—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overture
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2026
In his keynote speech in Washington last week, just hours after Trump signed the executive order, Hawley went a step further than his recent overtures to American workers.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
9 June 2026
The visit will be Xi’s first to North Korea since 2019, and the latest overture from Beijing to warm a historical but often complicated relationship with its neighbor.
—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
After accepting the role, Abdul-Mateen extended an overture to build a rapport offscreen in service of their onscreen relationship, but much to his surprise, Kingsley rebuffed the offer.
—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overture
prelude
Noun
-
The elegant, minimalistic, black-wooden cabinet box containing 12 cigars is but a prelude to this, the mildest cigar sporting the distinctive Davidoff black band.
-
This was the second of five group-stage games to be held here, a collective prelude to the July 1 main event (Round of 32).
Cite this Entry
“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overture. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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