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
However, Havana has rejected past overtures — including Washington’s recent offer of $100 million in aid — while the regime has vowed to hold on to power despite rising domestic and foreign pressures.
—
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
West has been making overtures to the Jewish community in recent months.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
But that trio declined the Pac-12’s overtures in September 2024 and seems unlikely to reverse course.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
Trump has wielded the ceasefire as a carrot and stick, issuing peace overtures one day and threats the next day, all in an attempt to get an upper hand in the negotiations.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Next step for a Spirit worker As far as what to do next, Dean Zoellers is aware of the community job fairs and the overtures of other airlines to former Spirit employees.
—Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
After rebuffing numerous overtures from other teams seeking general managers, DeCosta finally took over after the 2018 season.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The endorsement will likely play a role in a Republican race that could focus heavily on support for law enforcement and overtures to right-wing voters.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The government of Armenia is trying to warm its formerly tense relationship with Israel in an effort to overhaul its foreign policy, but its overtures are being met with outrage from the public.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
West has been making overtures to the Jewish community in recent months.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
But that trio declined the Pac-12’s overtures in September 2024 and seems unlikely to reverse course.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
Trump has wielded the ceasefire as a carrot and stick, issuing peace overtures one day and threats the next day, all in an attempt to get an upper hand in the negotiations.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Next step for a Spirit worker As far as what to do next, Dean Zoellers is aware of the community job fairs and the overtures of other airlines to former Spirit employees.
—Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
After rebuffing numerous overtures from other teams seeking general managers, DeCosta finally took over after the 2018 season.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The endorsement will likely play a role in a Republican race that could focus heavily on support for law enforcement and overtures to right-wing voters.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The government of Armenia is trying to warm its formerly tense relationship with Israel in an effort to overhaul its foreign policy, but its overtures are being met with outrage from the public.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtures. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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