overture

noun

ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce overture (audio)
Definition of overturenext
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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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 The source added that the overture makes sense because Authentic has interest in entertainment properties, particularly those tailored to kids. — Maggie Roth, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026 Hardliners in Iran initially criticized Pezeshkian and Araghchi’s diplomatic overtures to Washington, deeming a decision to visit the country actively waging war against them as a sign of surrender. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026 Marconi has resisted overtures from private equity firms, which have shown a growing appetite to invest in the food industry. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 Many people avoid answering pollsters’ overtures, a reality that makes representative samples drawn from surveys alone nearly impossible. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overture
prelude
Noun
  • The Bulldogs have road games at Penn and Columbia, then home games against Brown and Princeton, the prelude to The Game at Fenway Park.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And yet, in Wembanyama’s eyes — and those of his teammates — those accomplishments amount to little more than a prelude.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of prelude

Browse Nearby Words

overtops
overture
overtures
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Cite this Entry

“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overture. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on overture

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about overture

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