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
South Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged North Korea to respond to Seoul's peace overtures and efforts to reduce tensions in a press briefing on Tuesday.
—
Joyce Lee, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Advertisement Some Shia figures made overtures to Washington and distanced themselves from the attacks, but other militias like Kataib Hezbollah are unflinching, promising to fight on.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to resume talks with Kim, but Pyongyang has so far ignored the overtures and urged Washington to drop demands for the North’s nuclear disarmament as a precondition for talks.
—ABC News, 25 May 2026
Quality is in the cracks and details, not just in the massive overtures.
—Ashley Yetman, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Such overtures are hardly new, but this particular solicitation appears notable partly because the company is being very direct about seeking research that is designed to address specific points, rather than solicit topics that may — or may not — dovetail with corporate goals.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 22 May 2026
And Cassidy's overtures to Trump voters may fall flat as well.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 16 May 2026
However, Havana has rejected past overtures — including Washington’s recent offer of $100 million in aid — while the regime has vowed to hold on to power despite rising domestic and foreign pressures.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
On Wednesday, Axios reported new allegations, including that the staffer who was subjected to poetry and dinner invites was uncomfortable with Edwards’ overtures and objectification of her appearance.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Joyce Lee, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Advertisement Some Shia figures made overtures to Washington and distanced themselves from the attacks, but other militias like Kataib Hezbollah are unflinching, promising to fight on.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to resume talks with Kim, but Pyongyang has so far ignored the overtures and urged Washington to drop demands for the North’s nuclear disarmament as a precondition for talks.
—ABC News, 25 May 2026
Quality is in the cracks and details, not just in the massive overtures.
—Ashley Yetman, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Such overtures are hardly new, but this particular solicitation appears notable partly because the company is being very direct about seeking research that is designed to address specific points, rather than solicit topics that may — or may not — dovetail with corporate goals.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 22 May 2026
And Cassidy's overtures to Trump voters may fall flat as well.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 16 May 2026
However, Havana has rejected past overtures — including Washington’s recent offer of $100 million in aid — while the regime has vowed to hold on to power despite rising domestic and foreign pressures.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
On Wednesday, Axios reported new allegations, including that the staffer who was subjected to poetry and dinner invites was uncomfortable with Edwards’ overtures and objectification of her appearance.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtures. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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