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 three also had divergent views on taxpayer assistance on efforts to retain the Chicago Bears in Illinois amid overtures from Indiana.
—
Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
But, until today, its overtures have been rebuffed outright by WBD.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
The deal offers Spirit a clearer, though still challenging, path toward survival after months of uncertainty, creditor infighting and failed merger and acquisition overtures.
—Sabrina Valle, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
But hazards hover both in the turning weather, a threat in particular to Flor’s severe asthma, and in Junior’s work environment, where he’s treated with racist disregard by his co-workers, while locals incensed by the company’s violation of the forest make vengeful overtures.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
The winds have been blowing in the direction of the Jets tagging Hall since the trade deadline, when general manager Darren Mougey resisted overtures from other teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, who, per ESPN, offered a fourth-round pick.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Years later, Epstein, with the help of Siegal and longtime assistant Lesley Groff, made fresh overtures to the Hollywood elite.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
As anyone who watches nineties-era romantic comedies knows, there’s a fine line between charming overtures and boneheaded actions that result in deep psychological wounds.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
Scripps has rejected such overtures.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
But, until today, its overtures have been rebuffed outright by WBD.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
The deal offers Spirit a clearer, though still challenging, path toward survival after months of uncertainty, creditor infighting and failed merger and acquisition overtures.
—Sabrina Valle, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
But hazards hover both in the turning weather, a threat in particular to Flor’s severe asthma, and in Junior’s work environment, where he’s treated with racist disregard by his co-workers, while locals incensed by the company’s violation of the forest make vengeful overtures.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
The winds have been blowing in the direction of the Jets tagging Hall since the trade deadline, when general manager Darren Mougey resisted overtures from other teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, who, per ESPN, offered a fourth-round pick.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Years later, Epstein, with the help of Siegal and longtime assistant Lesley Groff, made fresh overtures to the Hollywood elite.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
As anyone who watches nineties-era romantic comedies knows, there’s a fine line between charming overtures and boneheaded actions that result in deep psychological wounds.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
Scripps has rejected such overtures.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtures. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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