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

Xi has overtly revealed his affinity for legalism, as Mao did decades earlier. — Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2026

Zvyagintsev argues that Minotaur is not overtly political, but rather the natural setting for his relationship to Chabrol’s story. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Related Stories The songs that deal overtly with grief on this are not all about the same person, or even all from your personal point of view. — Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Sep. 2026

Jasmine lends a subtle floral quality without pushing the scent into overtly floral territory. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overtly

• covertly
• curtly