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
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 overture
Starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren, the film was a huge spectacle, running more than three hours with an overture and intermission and costing $6 million to make.
—
Rhett Bartlett, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
Italy's second-largest lender posted fourth-quarter net profit that beat expectations amid market focus on the bank's M&A overtures.
—Ganesh Rao,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
The insurance giant’s attempts to police social media chatter about its business practices and its overtures to Trump’s SEC dovetailed earlier this week when hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman shared his opinion of the company’s future.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2025
At least so far, many of Meta’s overtures have been met with suspicion.
—Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Rhett Bartlett, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
Italy's second-largest lender posted fourth-quarter net profit that beat expectations amid market focus on the bank's M&A overtures.
—Ganesh Rao,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
The insurance giant’s attempts to police social media chatter about its business practices and its overtures to Trump’s SEC dovetailed earlier this week when hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman shared his opinion of the company’s future.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2025
At least so far, many of Meta’s overtures have been met with suspicion.
—Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overture
Articles Related to overture
Cite this Entry
“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overture. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share