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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overtures
The company didn’t name Paramount or any others that have made M&A overtures.
—
Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the New York Post started speculating that Ellison may decide to turn his quiet overtures to the Paramount board into a hostile-takeover attempt, something that doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
The company has reportedly turned down two overtures from Paramount, and the board is now reviewing a range of options.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Ross, 85, has rejected overtures from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin; designated his daughter Jennifer as his successor; and has given a significant non-Dolphins sports management job to son-in-law Dan Sillman, an experienced sports executive who is married to Ross’ daughter, Kim.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
Wingo did not report how Las Vegas responded to the trade overtures from Dallas.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Few New Yorkers respond well to such unsolicited overtures.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
But with a combative Trump questioning the very purpose of the UN at his speech before the General Assembly, Beijing has an international audience that may be more receptive to its overtures.
—Jeffrey Prescott, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Since then, Moscow has expanded its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, while seemingly ignoring his overtures for further dialogue to end the conflict.
—Matthew Bodner, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the New York Post started speculating that Ellison may decide to turn his quiet overtures to the Paramount board into a hostile-takeover attempt, something that doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
The company has reportedly turned down two overtures from Paramount, and the board is now reviewing a range of options.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Ross, 85, has rejected overtures from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin; designated his daughter Jennifer as his successor; and has given a significant non-Dolphins sports management job to son-in-law Dan Sillman, an experienced sports executive who is married to Ross’ daughter, Kim.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
Wingo did not report how Las Vegas responded to the trade overtures from Dallas.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Few New Yorkers respond well to such unsolicited overtures.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
But with a combative Trump questioning the very purpose of the UN at his speech before the General Assembly, Beijing has an international audience that may be more receptive to its overtures.
—Jeffrey Prescott, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Since then, Moscow has expanded its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, while seemingly ignoring his overtures for further dialogue to end the conflict.
—Matthew Bodner, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overtures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtures. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share