overtly

adverb

overt·​ly ō-ˈvərt-lē How to pronounce overtly (audio)
ˈō-(ˌ)vərt-
: in an overt manner : in a way that is open, straightforward, or obvious
an overtly racist remark
an overtly political message
… the fashion of dumbing down the public discourse was over. Being overtly brainy, simply being oneself, was back in style.Elizabeth Drew
In the late 1860's interest gradually waned in landscape paintings that overtly conveyed nationalistic, philosophical, and religious meanings.Franklin Kelly
It is now easier for French writers to write more overtly about the occupation because their country is now stressing reconciliation, forgiveness for whatever wrongs were done then …Barbara Probst Solomon

Examples of overtly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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These closer ties have not overtly involved military cooperation, although China is a supplier of dual-use goods to the Russian defense sector. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 Rachel Carson’s Critics Called Her a Witch Livia Gershon February 21, 2019 When Silent Spring was published, the response was overtly gendered. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025 Image The overtly sectarian killings sowed panic across Baniyas, where many had started to trust Syria’s new authorities. Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025 Their designs are deeply referential—some overtly literal, others playfully subversive. Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overtly

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtly was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Overtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtly. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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