overly

adverb

over·​ly ˈō-vər-lē 

: to an excessive degree : too

Synonyms of overly

• too
• excessively
• unduly
• extremely

Examples of overly in a Sentence

These directions are overly complex.

She's overly sensitive to criticism.

They didn't seem overly concerned about the problem.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wildlife officials have warned of the dangers of wolves becoming overly accustomed to feeding on cattle as opposed to their natural prey of elk or deer. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

These stem from overly burdensome regulations that restrict the supply of homes and inflate the cost of building the homes that are available. — Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

To keep things from feeling overly formal, opt for fisherman sandals and oversized shades. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 9 July 2026

Whether the market is softening, stabilizing, or simply distorted by overly optimistic sellers requires someone to watch and interpret conditions in the present tense. — John Walkup, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overly

• overlie

Kids Definition

overly

adverb

over·​ly ˈō-vər-lē 

: to an excessive degree : too