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
Despite his positive words about the regime, which is practically unchanged save Maduro’s absence, in the last few days Trump has made overtures to María Corina Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader who was barred from running in Venezuela’s 2024 general election.
—
Nbc News, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
Whether that holds true will depend on her political overtures.
—Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Just this month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping again rejected an overture from his French counterpart.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Plenty of conferences made overtures, but rather than itching to keep up with the Joneses, Bourne studied his peers.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Nbc News, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
Whether that holds true will depend on her political overtures.
—Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Just this month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping again rejected an overture from his French counterpart.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Plenty of conferences made overtures, but rather than itching to keep up with the Joneses, Bourne studied his peers.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overture
prelude
Noun
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This was a prelude to a larger protest just blocks away and a benefit for the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
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When Alvarado asked if the singles are the prelude to the first full album from GNR to feature him and fellow OG member bassist Duff McKagan since the Illusion LPs, Slash dropped a double-dose of good news.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overture. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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