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
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
Morrissey allegedly failed to respond to Marr’s overtures, so Marr trademarked the band’s name himself.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 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
Kim Yo-jong initially pursued fake peace overtures but is now more interested in directly escalating tensions with South Korea- to cultivate a cutthroat image to North Korean elite and the world.
—Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
His administration made overtures to the Kremlin, voicing support for key Russian demands of Ukraine.
—Charles Maynes, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
The special committee established by the Paramount board to evaluate M&A overtures rejected Project Rise’s proposal, saying the go-shop window for considering competing bids had closed.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025
With Iran resisting Washington's diplomatic overtures and accelerating its nuclear program, the prospects of a confrontation grow.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Morrissey allegedly failed to respond to Marr’s overtures, so Marr trademarked the band’s name himself.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 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
Kim Yo-jong initially pursued fake peace overtures but is now more interested in directly escalating tensions with South Korea- to cultivate a cutthroat image to North Korean elite and the world.
—Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
His administration made overtures to the Kremlin, voicing support for key Russian demands of Ukraine.
—Charles Maynes, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
The special committee established by the Paramount board to evaluate M&A overtures rejected Project Rise’s proposal, saying the go-shop window for considering competing bids had closed.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025
With Iran resisting Washington's diplomatic overtures and accelerating its nuclear program, the prospects of a confrontation grow.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overtures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtures. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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