1
as in heated
being in a state of increased activity or agitation
became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ornate
elaborately and often excessively decorated
the author's prose is overwrought with purple passages and florid metaphors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 overwrought
However, its gestural sweetness helps cross this divide; even its most overwrought moments are underlined by an amiable nature seldom seen in the zombie genre.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 10 June 2025
Despite the grievous subject matter, there is not a single note in Vega’s catalogue that could be heard as mawkish or emotionally overwrought.
—Emma Madden, Vulture, 9 May 2025
The high-octane war thriller is fun to imagine staged, but dialogue tends to be overwrought.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
Their prose tends to be overwrought; their dialogue is clunky and unsubtle.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 10 June 2025
Despite the grievous subject matter, there is not a single note in Vega’s catalogue that could be heard as mawkish or emotionally overwrought.
—Emma Madden, Vulture, 9 May 2025
The high-octane war thriller is fun to imagine staged, but dialogue tends to be overwrought.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
Their prose tends to be overwrought; their dialogue is clunky and unsubtle.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
Adjective
-
That clears the way for a heated World Heavyweight Championship feud between Rollins and Punk on Raw.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Chip seal contractors just have to keep the liquid asphalt hot in special heated tanker trucks.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The main draw was engaging with the celebrities while Carpenter took photos on an ornate throne and spent time with each guest.—
Justin Conklin,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
The walls are chockablock with paintings of former presidents in heavily ornate gold frames.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Our family couldn’t be more excited to welcome baby #3 soon!—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
26 July 2025
-
While some seemed excited about Buck's sudden appearance, some speculated about the possibility of Stephanopoulos leaving the show.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
In Trier, Germany’s oldest city, Roman ruins, such as the Porta Nigra and imperial baths, blend seamlessly with baroque palaces and centuries-old scholarly libraries.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer Cécile McLorin Salvant will connect the dots between baroque, folk music and jazz.—
Beth Wood,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin told NJ.com around 50 detainees at the private center pushed down a dormitory wall after becoming agitated when meals were delayed.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
18 July 2025
-
With the addition of each agenda, each passionate cause that grows more and more aggressive as its members grow more agitated, the tension in the film increases.—
Scott Phillips,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Breaking up the wearying journey, devotees gather for outbreaks of extravagant revelry – ground-shaking music and dancing fueled by devotion, ganja and alcohol, as befits in their eyes Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and renewal, to whom the festival is dedicated.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
-
Trump and his allies have seized on the project as evidence of wasteful spending by alleging the Fed’s building revamp of including extravagant rooftop gardens, VIP elevators, and high-end dining rooms—claims Powell and the Fed have strongly denied.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share