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
The governor rejected the overture.
—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for overture
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for overture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overture
prelude
Noun
-
At Ojai, Lewis wistfully performed the solo prelude off in Libbey Park shrubbery as if a dallying forest spirit summoning ghosts of festivals past.
-
The windows serve as a prelude to a much larger spatial takeover, as Duggal prepares to deploy massive fan experiences, stadium environments, and retail destinations across North America for the tournament, stretching across North America.
Cite this Entry
“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overture. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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