overtly

adverb

overt·​ly ō-ˈvərt-lē 

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

While other Parisian neighborhoods have grown overtly commercial—think Manhattan’s Meatpacking District 20 years ago versus today—Saint-Germain has retained its independent spirit. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Not everything in the invisible city was overtly sinister. —Kian Tajbakhsh, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025

The scene comes out of nowhere and emphasizes that Derringer is not Trump while overtly placing one of Trump’s main slogans on the side of the devil. —Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025

And yeah, of course, nothing overtly gay is mentioned. —Rance Collins, IndieWire, 22 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overtly

• covertly
• curtly