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
Last week, word emerged that those overtures had been rebuffed, but Ellison is expected to maintain his pursuit, and WBD initiated a review of its strategic alternatives.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
But Aytaç was absorbed in the management of conversation, Abdi was silent, and no overture came from either.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the New York Post started speculating that Ellison may decide to turn his quiet overtures to the Paramount board into a hostile-takeover attempt, something that doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
The company has reportedly turned down two overtures from Paramount, and the board is now reviewing a range of options.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
But Aytaç was absorbed in the management of conversation, Abdi was silent, and no overture came from either.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the New York Post started speculating that Ellison may decide to turn his quiet overtures to the Paramount board into a hostile-takeover attempt, something that doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
The company has reportedly turned down two overtures from Paramount, and the board is now reviewing a range of options.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overture
prelude
Noun
-
Known as Kristallnacht, it is considered a prelude to the Holocaust.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The week-long extravaganza, which includes events in Los Angeles, as well as content across Paramount platforms, will act as a fittingly extravagant and entertaining prelude to the 83rd Golden Globes ceremony.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overture. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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