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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwrought
The situation is so overwrought in this episode.
—
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Sponsors of the Florida legislation said the issues raised by opponents were overwrought.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
Two, that party snacks need not be expensive and overwrought to be truly delicious.
—The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
Here, Linklater eschews the overwrought trappings that these types of movies typically fall into.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Sponsors of the Florida legislation said the issues raised by opponents were overwrought.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
Two, that party snacks need not be expensive and overwrought to be truly delicious.
—The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
Here, Linklater eschews the overwrought trappings that these types of movies typically fall into.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
Adjective
-
The heated exchange took place days before the California Republican Party weighs making an endorsement in the 2026 race for California governor.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The unusual childbirth comes at a time of heated discussion about citizenship laws in the United States.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The columns that will support the ballroom’s south colonnade have Corinthian capitals, the most ornate type of decorative top for a column.—
Kevin D. Murphy,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The handshake with Xi in the ornate East Hall at the Great Hall of the People, a space normally used for meeting foreign heads of state, underscored the reversal in political beliefs for Cheng.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, according to several people involved and to contemporaneous documents, OpenAI executives seemed to grow only more excited about it.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps York was excited for this adventure.—
Craig Fehrman,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hear the indie rock band fill the Allstate Arena with their big, baroque sound.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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The more baroque elements are especially satisfying.—
Brad Sanders,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump has been in an increasingly agitated state, lobbing barbs at the alliance for refusing to help clear the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf chokepoint where around 20% of the world’s oil flowed until Iran effectively shuttered it.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Equally agitated are Jedi Padawan Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon) and her Master, Eeko-Dio-Daki (Dennis Haysbert).—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Blown out, extravagant, dripping with ferocious malaise and desperation, but precisely arranged for the maximum possible emotional effect.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Even dinner is an extravagant affair.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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