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

However, Israni’s record of contributions to Republican candidates, and even fringe right-wing, overtly racist Laura Loomer, raise serious questions about her reliability as a representative of a district, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly three to one. —East Bay Times Editorial Board, Mercury News, 7 May 2026

Most Western media ethics scholarship and textbooks, while primarily secular, are informed by Judeo-Christian values, even if less overtly. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026

And there’s the more overtly dashing William Ryder (Laurie Davidson), whose great sense of fun pulls something similar out of Mary. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 May 2026

In Children of Men, humanity is the problem, not overtly gruesome alien beings or life-threatening technologies. —Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overtly

• covertly
• curtly