as in too
beyond a normal or acceptable limit
there's no need to be overly careful about the rough draft, since we'll polish it afterwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of overly
The Gilroy, for one (now defunct), was our spot for trivia, live music, and overly-sweet drinks of the Ole Smoky variety.
—
Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Newsom said the 9th Circuit’s decisions in the Boise and Grants Pass cases had overly restricted what governments could do about homeless encampments.
—Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
This rampant, unauthorized AI use degrades the educational experience of individual students who overly rely on the technology and those who wish to avoid using it.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Jayanthi wasn’t overly confident in the data set, but the paper, published in 2009, was the first to associate sport specialization and injury risk.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overly
Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Newsom said the 9th Circuit’s decisions in the Boise and Grants Pass cases had overly restricted what governments could do about homeless encampments.
—Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
This rampant, unauthorized AI use degrades the educational experience of individual students who overly rely on the technology and those who wish to avoid using it.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Jayanthi wasn’t overly confident in the data set, but the paper, published in 2009, was the first to associate sport specialization and injury risk.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overly
Adverb
-
His designs were built under license by Bristol for use in British passenger trains, too.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Needing 30-plus yards for a first down in two plays proved too much, and the Texans turned the ball over on downs.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Avoid exercising outside when worse air is likely based on these patterns, or at least check your AQI app beforehand to help ensure pollution isn’t excessively high.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Her voice in the essays is sly and irreverent, knowing and persuasive—all qualities that endeared her to readers, despite her often excessively Manichean tone.—
Anderson Tepper,
The Atlantic,
8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Yet most fans do not care unduly about what a squad costs and while sound financial management is welcomed, the strength of the team is the thing that is troubling them right now.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Leadership opinion, as opposed to stakeholder insight, can also unduly influence branding for a new enterprise or program.—
Lynn Godfrey,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Or consider the extremely rapid development of vaccines during the recent COVID pandemic.—
Alan Lightman
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk has risen in popularity over the years for his extremely polarizing takes, which resulted in a heavy split among reactions to his passing.—
Regina Cho,
VIBE.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overly. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share