overblown

1 of 2

adjective (1)

over·​blown ˌō-vər-ˈblōn How to pronounce overblown (audio)
Synonyms of overblownnext
: past the prime of bloom
overblown roses

overblown

2 of 2

adjective (2)

1
: excessively large in girth : portly
2
: inflated
overblown claims
overblown rhetoric
also : pretentious

Synonyms of overblown

Examples of overblown in a Sentence

Adjective (2) overblown predictions of financial calamity after the company had one bad quarter
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The impact of tariffs has been overblown. David Moin, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025 Marty’s mentor, Béla Kletzki (Géza Röhrig), is a former table-tennis champion who gently tries to dissuade his protégé from chasing his overblown goal. David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Dec. 2025 How much China intends to capitalize on the growing power imbalance with Russia remains uncertain, with some observers arguing the concerns are overblown. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025 That’s also why there’s something especially disheartening about mediocrity on a grand scale, as with the glut of overproduced, overblown franchise films, which lack both personalized imagination and the more modest virtue of clear observation. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overblown

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

blow entry 3

Adjective (2)

blow entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overblown was circa 1625

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Cite this Entry

“Overblown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overblown. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.

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