as in preludes
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 overtures
The overtures backfired, with Sheridan preferring a less corporate approach.
—
Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
His campaign has made overtures to Republicans as the only viable candidate for people who don’t want to vote for Mamdani since polling has shown that GOP hopeful Curtis Sliwa is unlikely to be competitive.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Kim has also rebuffed overtures from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who favors greater engagement with the North than his conservative predecessor.
—Stella Kim, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
Cuomo has made overtures to conservatives, hoping to consolidate anti-Mamdani votes.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
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
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
Ross, 85, has rejected overtures from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin; designated his daughter Jennifer as his successor; and has given a significant non-Dolphins sports management job to son-in-law Dan Sillman, an experienced sports executive who is married to Ross’ daughter, Kim.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
His campaign has made overtures to Republicans as the only viable candidate for people who don’t want to vote for Mamdani since polling has shown that GOP hopeful Curtis Sliwa is unlikely to be competitive.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Kim has also rebuffed overtures from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who favors greater engagement with the North than his conservative predecessor.
—Stella Kim, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
Cuomo has made overtures to conservatives, hoping to consolidate anti-Mamdani votes.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
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
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
Ross, 85, has rejected overtures from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin; designated his daughter Jennifer as his successor; and has given a significant non-Dolphins sports management job to son-in-law Dan Sillman, an experienced sports executive who is married to Ross’ daughter, Kim.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overtures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtures. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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