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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ornate
elaborately and often excessively decorated
the author's prose is overwrought with purple passages and florid metaphors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwrought
The high-octane war thriller is fun to imagine staged, but dialogue tends to be overwrought.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
Their prose tends to be overwrought; their dialogue is clunky and unsubtle.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 12 May 2025
There are signs that some of the handwringing over the economy may also be overwrought.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 May 2025
The Red Sox could have put the Wally Head home run prop or some other overwrought logo on the hat.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
Their prose tends to be overwrought; their dialogue is clunky and unsubtle.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 12 May 2025
There are signs that some of the handwringing over the economy may also be overwrought.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 May 2025
The Red Sox could have put the Wally Head home run prop or some other overwrought logo on the hat.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
Adjective
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Collin Morikawa still has not recovered his cool from his heated exchange with a reporter during his pre-tournament press conference.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
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It was followed by Israel and Iran indulging in a heated military exchange, a subsequent but hitherto empty threat to close the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran, and a bombing by the U.S. of Iran’s nuclear facilities.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Princess Eugenie’s dress included ornate cutouts, particularly on the skirt, which featured feminine motifs like flowers and bows intricately designed with symmetry on the linen fabric.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
26 June 2025
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Coffered wood ceilings, intricate crown moldings, detailed light fixtures, and ornate ceiling details can be seen in nearly every room of the house.—
Emma Reynolds,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
His uncle is clearly excited and expecting big things from him.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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From there, fans were excited about the existence of an unreleased song between the two Colombian stars, who confirmed their romantic relationship in 2023.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
It was meant to be baroque, filled with micro details.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The athlete wore the Nike Women’s Osaka GP Challenge 1 PRM Tennis Shoes featuring tones of sundial and baroque brown.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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When officers arrived, Jones allegedly became more agitated and combative.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2025
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Diana, the most glamorous and beautiful, married the Guinness brewery heir, had three children and then in a notorious scandal left her husband for Oswald Mosley, a notorious womanizer and fascist leader whose Black Shirts violently agitated for Nazi Germany as Britain prepared for war.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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And while not as extravagant as Cirque du Soleil (also from Canada), the show still leaves audiences in awe.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
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There are a plethora of stories out there about the extravagant infrastructure at the base of the world’s highest peak, such as fancy espresso machines, massages, and five-star cuisine.—
Ben Ayers,
Outside Online,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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