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 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
With Tehran resisting Washington's diplomatic overtures and accelerating its nuclear program, global concerns over the region's stability continue to grow.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
However, his overtures have been repeatedly rebuffed by both lawmakers in Greenland and Danish politicians.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 11 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
Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis and screenwriter Bob Gale have resisted all overtures to make another Back to the Future movie over the years.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
The first-time officeholder has regularly made overtures to right-wing social issues through a bevy of lawsuits, including against the federal government.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
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
With Tehran resisting Washington's diplomatic overtures and accelerating its nuclear program, global concerns over the region's stability continue to grow.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
However, his overtures have been repeatedly rebuffed by both lawmakers in Greenland and Danish politicians.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 11 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
Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis and screenwriter Bob Gale have resisted all overtures to make another Back to the Future movie over the years.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
The first-time officeholder has regularly made overtures to right-wing social issues through a bevy of lawsuits, including against the federal government.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overtures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtures. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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