overture
20
6.8
- noun
- /ˈoʊvərtʃər/
- Formal
:
gesto
- The company made an overture to the union to discuss potential changes to working conditions.
- making overtures
- peace overtures
- sexual overtures
So they therefore say the first advances and overtures, the the beginnings of friendship are in fact self-centered.
- So they therefore say the first advances and overtures, the the beginnings of friendship are in fact self-centered.
Examples
-
Every once in a while, Frank gets overtures from other magazines.
Academic text (2002) -
The bishops' response to the overtures was conditioned on their belief that the time for legal reform was approaching.
Academic text (1999) -
I could not refuse her overture for what I thought at the time was friendship.
Fiction book (1995) -
Seems pretty clear that the Soviets are making an overture here.
-
I never accepted his overtures.
-
Conservative members of your party want you to listen to overtures from Richmond.
-
In this situation, the Japanese government started active diplomatic overtures toward Iraq.
Academic text (2001) -
Some are entertaining overtures from countries outside the United States, where science investment is robust and expanding.
-
For the sake of both Turkey and its allies, Erdogan's overtures to the EU must succeed.
Academic text (2004) -
Shortly afterward, the PRC began making friendly overtures toward the new Islamic Republic.
Academic text (1990)
Synonyms
62
7.0
An attempt to start a romantic or sexual relationship
14
3.4
A polite first request or offer to someone
12
6.9
A small suggestion to test how people will react
Antonyms
How Direct
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Overture comes from the old Latin word aperire meaning 'to open'. So an overture in talks is an 'opening' move — a first friendly offer or approach to start a conversation.