as in prelude
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 overture
Frank, who has spent much of his life in prison, initially resists these mob bosses’ overtures.
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 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
Ian McEwan explored this gray territory in his novel Machines Like Me, where his milquetoast protagonist smilingly tolerates his robot's romantic overtures toward his love interest—until the threat of displacement becomes all too real.
—Silvia Park, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025
Dylan must have had countless movie overtures.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 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
Ian McEwan explored this gray territory in his novel Machines Like Me, where his milquetoast protagonist smilingly tolerates his robot's romantic overtures toward his love interest—until the threat of displacement becomes all too real.
—Silvia Park, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025
Dylan must have had countless movie overtures.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Cite this Entry
“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overture. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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