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
That could lead to overtures for Kawhi Leonard, perhaps reconsideration of Morant or, now, the somewhat wild notion of Trae Young.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2026
In his keynote speech in Washington last week, just hours after Trump signed the executive order, Hawley went a step further than his recent overtures to American workers.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
Cooper turned down Weiss' overtures to anchor it and left the network altogether, concerned about her approach, according to associates.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 3 June 2026
But during his early May visit to the statehouse, Johnson told city lawmakers that the Bears — while negotiating for Arlington Heights and Hammond — also had made recent overtures about a stadium based in the city.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
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
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2026
In his keynote speech in Washington last week, just hours after Trump signed the executive order, Hawley went a step further than his recent overtures to American workers.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
Cooper turned down Weiss' overtures to anchor it and left the network altogether, concerned about her approach, according to associates.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 3 June 2026
But during his early May visit to the statehouse, Johnson told city lawmakers that the Bears — while negotiating for Arlington Heights and Hammond — also had made recent overtures about a stadium based in the city.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Overtures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtures. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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