as in plain
easily seen; not secret or hidden
overt hostility
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 overt
The covert campaign ran in parallel with an increasingly overt show of force.
—
Time, 3 Jan. 2026
Disconcerted by the apartment’s elderly tenants and their overt interest in her pregnancy, Rosemary soon becomes convinced that her neighbors are using her as a Satanic surrogate and intend to include her unborn child in their demonic rituals.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
While his work is often critical of government policy on migration and war, the latest artwork did not seem to carry an overt political message.
—CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
His performance was an eye-popping entertainment extravaganza and a marvel of subtle and overt social and political commentary.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overt
Time, 3 Jan. 2026
Disconcerted by the apartment’s elderly tenants and their overt interest in her pregnancy, Rosemary soon becomes convinced that her neighbors are using her as a Satanic surrogate and intend to include her unborn child in their demonic rituals.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
While his work is often critical of government policy on migration and war, the latest artwork did not seem to carry an overt political message.
—CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
His performance was an eye-popping entertainment extravaganza and a marvel of subtle and overt social and political commentary.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overt
Adjective
-
Use plain cabinet doors with simple hardware, add streamlined seating and lights, and keep surfaces clutter-free.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The future of investing may be expressed in plain English.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After he was retrieved by first responders and transported to a hospital, a hospital spokesperson confirmed to Jornal Folha do Litoral News that Thomaz was lucid, with signs of dehydration and hematomas on his legs.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
His deepest engagement on the subject seems to have been, believe it or not, a lucid 2024 conversation with the YouTuber Logan Paul.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
No ceremonial bow to wrap the story into a digestible form.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
-
To put that in more digestible terms, Saturn will present plenty of new challenges over the next two and a half years, while Uranus will spend about seven years creating new systems and worlds.—
GLORIOUS HOSHIKO,
Vogue,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The pair is then to deliver the goods to an undisguised J. B. idling in a car outside the front entrance.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In a marked contrast to the undisguised anger, bitter satire, and clear-eyed analysis of his colleagues, bewilderment became the theme of his monologue.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Two people suffered life-threatening injuries and a suspect has been arrested in connection with an apparent stabbing in San Francisco on Saturday evening, police said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
For many of the previous 120 days, Tara tells Thomas what is happening to her, and convinces him of her situation through her apparent clairvoyance.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Even as Trump looks to boost American hydrocarbon profits in Venezuela, the gas tap for Europe is a simple – and likely effective – tool that could be used as leverage by the White House.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Brooklyn Councilmember Lincoln Restler participated in a double red blood cell donation, calling it a simple but powerful way to help others.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At the most obvious level, of course.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
But her agent at GSE Worldwide represents all three of the other FP Movement tennis players, Sloane Stephens, Danielle Collins, and Sofia Kenin, which made for an easy and obvious transition.—
Jessica Schiffer,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What's already evident is that the capital flows are substantial and the strategic questions are real.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The consequences of that dependency were evident after Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, when customers reported price increases ranging from 800% to 1,500%, with little recourse beyond acceptance or costly migration.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overt. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
