overwrought

adjective

over·​wrought ˌō-vər-ˈrȯt 

ˌō-və-

1

: extremely excited : agitated

2

: elaborated to excess : overdone

Synonyms of overwrought

• heated
• excited
• agitated

Examples of overwrought in a Sentence

The witness became overwrought as she described the crime.

became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing

Recent Examples on the Web

But the action is so dependent on overwrought dialogue, red herrings, titillating close-ups, and a barrage of throwback songs that the story constantly takes a backseat. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026

One plays on the name of the crew’s hangout, Hamburger Hamlet, drawing Murphy-ish parallels between the characters and Shakespeare’s tragic personages that are so overwrought, they can’t be salvaged by self-awareness. — Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2026

Above all, the overwrought thirty-two-dollar packet of luxury strikes a discordant note in a restaurant that seems, in every other way, to have no need for such clunky signifiers. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 26 July 2026

While Ackman argues that those who don’t participate in capitalism will turn to socialism, Britt believes dire warnings about the anger of the masses are overwrought. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

past participle of overwork

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overwrought

• aeronaut
• aforethought
• afterthought
• apricot
• argonaut
• astronaut
• camelot
• coffeepot
• concordat
• cosmonaut
• entrepot
• flowerpot

Kids Definition

overwrought

adjective

over·​wrought ˌō-və(r)-ˈrȯt 

1

: extremely excited : agitated

overwrought feelings

2

: decorated too much : overdone