Synonyms of overwrought

overwrought

adjective

ˌō-vər-ˈrȯt 

1

as in heated

being in a state of increased activity or agitation

became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• heated
• excited
• agitated
• hectic
• upset
• frenzied
• overactive
• hyperactive
• troubled
• feverish
• in a lather
• nervous
• overexcited
• anxious
• uneasy
• keyed up
• uptight
• perturbed
• hyper
• tense
• high-strung
• hyperexcited
• jittery
• jumpy
• wired
• dithery
• edgy
• nervy
• aquiver
• unquiet
• hyped-up
• afire
• aflutter
• atingle
• het up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• composed
• collected
• calm
• serene
• cool
• tranquil
• undisturbed
• unperturbed
• placid
• untroubled
• unshaken
• unworried
• coolheaded

2

as in ornate

elaborately and often excessively decorated

the author's prose is overwrought with purple passages and florid metaphors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ornate
• baroque
• extravagant
• loud
• florid
• decorated
• overdecorated
• adorned
• gilded
• gingerbread
• fussy
• ornamented
• bedizened
• lacy
• showy
• tawdry
• gingerbready
• gaudy
• spectacular
• rococo
• garish
• gingerbreaded
• pretentious
• dressed
• elaborate
• flamboyant
• glitzy
• enriched
• ostentatious
• trimmed
• arabesque
• flashy
• extreme
• intensified
• laced
• swank
• embroidered
• frilly
• enhanced
• heightened
• splashy
• embellished
• decked
• flowery
• garnished
• bejeweled
• arrayed
• fringed
• bedecked
• sequined
• bedaubed
• garlanded
• embossed
• wreathed
• chased
• beautified
• emblazoned
• flounced
• bossed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• severe
• plain
• austere
• unadorned
• stark
• naked
• bare
• stripped
• simple
• exposed
• modest
• uncovered
• unassuming
• unpretentious
• restrained
• conservative
• denuded
• subdued
• understated
• quiet
• tasteful
• muted
• unobtrusive
• toned-down

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overwrought

Affleck’s attempt to bind these three narratives into some grand conclusion, or lesson, about the state of being alive in the world is muddled and overwrought, full of clunky poetry that seems to think abstraction and repetition are keys to meaning. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

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

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