overtly

adverb

overt·​ly ō-ˈvərt-lē How to pronounce overtly (audio)
ˈō-(ˌ)vərt-
: in an overt manner : in a way that is open, straightforward, or obvious
an overtly racist 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
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.
The Hongdae man is overtly complimentary and tries to win over the girl in unconventional ways that are sometimes, a little bit cringe. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 5 June 2025 The effect was not overtly referential, but each look maintained a consistent balance, where the shoe never competed, but always reinforced form, tone or finish. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 June 2025 This is not the first time Aldi has faced a lawsuit over its store-brand products looking overtly similar in name, color and design to other brands. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 2 June 2025 Interior richness is a part of quiet, part of one’s own interiority creating a vernacular that’s not overtly storytelling but is about the unspeakable, the silence, the quiet that Tina Campt and Fred Moten and others speak about. Caitlin Woolsey, Artforum, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for overtly

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtly was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Overtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtly. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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