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
Needless to say, progressive Democrats did not respond to those companies’ overtures by abandoning Trader Joe’s and prosecco to guzzle Buds at Wally World.
—
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Yet here Emery was, again, posed with Martinez and his overtures for Man United, despite no new bid being lodged throughout Sunday.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Ad sales execs had been trying to get agencies to bite on OOH viewing for decades, but their overtures always fell on deaf ears.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The print also includes the original overture that precedes the start of the film and the intermission – something that should make a comeback for longer films.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Yet here Emery was, again, posed with Martinez and his overtures for Man United, despite no new bid being lodged throughout Sunday.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Ad sales execs had been trying to get agencies to bite on OOH viewing for decades, but their overtures always fell on deaf ears.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The print also includes the original overture that precedes the start of the film and the intermission – something that should make a comeback for longer films.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overture
prelude
Noun
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The whole ordeal ended badly — which Powell said was a prelude for what was to come next.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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Stepping into one of Arizona's oldest hotels might feel like time traveling to a different era, following the footsteps of famous figures from the past, or a prelude to encountering a ghost.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overture. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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