overtly

adverb

overt·​ly ō-ˈvərt-lē 

ˈō-(ˌ)vərt-

: in an overt manner : in a way that is open, straightforward, or obvious

an overtly hostile remark

an overtly political message

… the fashion of dumbing down the public discourse was over. Being overtly brainy, simply being oneself, was back in style.

—Elizabeth Drew

In the late 1860's interest gradually waned in landscape paintings that overtly conveyed nationalistic, philosophical, and religious meanings.

—Franklin Kelly

It is now easier for French writers to write more overtly about the occupation because their country is now stressing reconciliation, forgiveness for whatever wrongs were done then …

—Barbara Probst Solomon

Examples of overtly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the White House, the president made an effort to literally rewrite history, installing plaques underneath the portraits of past presidents with overtly political and often false descriptions of his predecessors. —ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025

Centered on iris, the scent wears softly on the skin, with gentle citrus and woody notes that keep it clean and restrained rather than overtly floral. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2025

There’s nothing overtly special about him. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2025

Great powers also intervene in other countries’ politics, covertly and overtly, sometimes violently. —Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overtly

• covertly
• curtly