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

Few of the director’s films post-Pinochet are overtly political. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026

Rastus, Westinghouse’s Great Depression-era robot, was the most overtly racialized of these corporate robot slaves. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2026

And while some are overtly designed for traditional smoking purposes, more subtle iterations can double (and triple) as decor or storage trays to hold loose change, keys, and jewelry. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2026

Some are more overtly trapped in debt bondage, tied to loans from scrap dealers who dictate prices and terms. —CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overtly

• covertly
• curtly