: 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
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.
But in hindsight, the team’s overt desire to get younger made the move somewhat inevitable. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025 American cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church described the historic papal conclave that concluded this week as relatively easy, with no arm-twisting or overt politicking. Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 10 May 2025 This was the voice of Suzanne Vega, a singer with little in the way of vocal dynamics or overt flourish, just a diction of great clarity and control. Emma Madden, Vulture, 9 May 2025 This is in spite of direct and overt policy support from the White House, institutional buy-in and support of cryptoassets, and a regulatory shift to a pro-crypto position. Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for overt

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overt. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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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