overwrought

adjective

over·​wrought ˌō-vər-ˈrȯt 

ˌō-və-

1

: extremely excited : agitated

2

: elaborated to excess : overdone

Synonyms

• agitated
• excited
• feverish
• frenzied
• heated
• hectic
• hyperactive
• overactive

Examples of overwrought in a Sentence

The witness became overwrought as she described the crime.

became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing

Recent Examples on the Web

But an overwrought and violent attack by the state can quickly turn a marginal movement into a central one, pulling in people who might otherwise not have paid attention or would have remained on the sidelines. —Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 8 May 2024

The houses are still modest, certainly by comparison to the metabolically overwrought mansions of Beverly Hills and West L.A., but now the prices, like the views, are spectacular. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

past participle of overwork

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overwrought

adjective

over·​wrought ˌō-və(r)-ˈrȯt 

1

: extremely excited : agitated

overwrought feelings

2

: decorated too much : overdone