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

Avoid overly specific labels that might be difficult to recall months later. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections. — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

While there is no formal opposition group to Question 1, some lawmakers say the ballot question is overly broad and creates privacy risks. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Often, doctors give out overly broad consent forms, asking patients to agree to anything from hospitals using patient files for training doctors to using patient data for training artificial intelligence. — Alex Rosenblat — Calmatters, STAT, 15 Oct. 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