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
Elizabeth DrewIn the late 1860's interest gradually waned in landscape paintings that overtly conveyed nationalistic, philosophical, and religious meanings.—Franklin Kelly
Franklin KellyIt 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
Barbara Probst SolomonExamples of overtly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The transformation has been legal, administrative, and institutional rather than overtly repressive.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The rooms Boutique interior architecture and design firm Fettle Design handled The Inn’s interiors, which evoke a strong sense of place without reverting to overtly Western clichés.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
The experiment is that AI is being made available nationally and globally, which is either overtly or insidiously acting to provide mental health guidance of one kind or another.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Although Atmosphere hasn’t been overtly political in its messaging like many conscious rap groups, social justice issues were often at the forefront of Daley’s early days on the mic, but the group has been doing its own version of the subgenre.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtly
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Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The rooms Boutique interior architecture and design firm Fettle Design handled The Inn’s interiors, which evoke a strong sense of place without reverting to overtly Western clichés.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
The experiment is that AI is being made available nationally and globally, which is either overtly or insidiously acting to provide mental health guidance of one kind or another.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Although Atmosphere hasn’t been overtly political in its messaging like many conscious rap groups, social justice issues were often at the forefront of Daley’s early days on the mic, but the group has been doing its own version of the subgenre.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtly
Cite this Entry
“Overtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtly. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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