: open to view : manifest
overt hostility
overt symptoms of the disease
overt discrimination
both overt and covert military action
overtness noun

Examples of overt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This is the first time where someone who’s such an overt fan, but also a music business professional, gets to have their hands on the wheel and even help Pearl Jam write songs. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 19 Mar. 2024 Oates made no overt mention to the lawsuit and enmity that has erupted between him and longtime professional partner Daryl Hall during his hourlong Q&A, held at the Austin Convention Center as part of the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 But this rebuild has been brutal and sometimes illogical, and there’s no guarantee (much less overt promise) that whatever follows this will be worth the wait. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 In some cases, companies are shaping foreign policy and international conflicts in more overt ways. Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024 Disney’s Brave introduced Merida, a fiery archer who brought a more overt contemporary feminism to the entertainment conglomerate’s brand. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 The most overt sign is the eye, which should be plump and clear, or nearly clear. Domenica Marchetti, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 For casual racing fans, the most overt results of this plan would be noticed on future Preakness Days. Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024 Meet the Peak Millennial The 1990 and 1991 babies’ influence in the consumer economy has often been overt. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from past participle of ovrir to open, from Vulgar Latin *operire, alteration of Latin aperire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near overt

Cite this Entry

“Overt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overt. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overt

adjective
: open to view : not secret
overt hostility
overtly adverb
overtness noun

Medical Definition

overt

adjective
ō-ˈvərt, ˈō-ˌvərt also ˈō-vərt
: open to view : readily perceived
overt behavior
overtly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on overt

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