Synonyms of overture

overture

noun

ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prelude
• preliminary
• prologue
• curtain-raiser
• preamble
• warm-up
• lead-in
• countdown
• start
• kickoff
• run-up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overture

Many people avoid answering pollsters’ overtures, a reality that makes representative samples drawn from surveys alone nearly impossible. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

The overture came after months of tension between Canada and the United States, the country’s biggest export market and closest neighbor. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

And an overture from an ABC exec (Jessica Hecht) to Andie to jump ship represents another kind of unsettling grooming. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

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