1
as in heated
being in a state of increased activity or agitation
became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwrought
But for all this time, Republicans have proven unwilling to withstand overwrought attacks about wanting to kill Big Bird.
—
The Editors, National Review, 19 July 2025
Jeffrey Harris, a former prosecutor with the Southern District of New York, said jurors might have agreed that the prosecution’s case was overwrought from the start.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 2 July 2025
The narrative is deliberately overwrought and overwritten.
—Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
And any fear—and hence bigger discounts—caused by overwrought debt worries just makes our opportunity even sweeter.
—Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
The Editors, National Review, 19 July 2025
Jeffrey Harris, a former prosecutor with the Southern District of New York, said jurors might have agreed that the prosecution’s case was overwrought from the start.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 2 July 2025
The narrative is deliberately overwrought and overwritten.
—Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
And any fear—and hence bigger discounts—caused by overwrought debt worries just makes our opportunity even sweeter.
—Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
Adjective
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Zach Bryan and Gavin Adcock were involved in a heated confrontation that nearly turned physical at the Born & Raised Festival in Pryor, Oklahoma.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Researchers in Taiwan have developed a stretchable, self-healing gel that changes color when pulled or heated.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One of the new additions to the lobby is a replica of a 1925 chandelier, recreated by artisans from photos that were discovered of the original ornate light fixture.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Dakota Johnson Johnson married the ubiquity of a red carpet sheer dressing moment with ornate embroidery in her Gucci look.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This year’s Fall Preview consists of all the entertainment — from TV to video games to theater — that Vulture writers and editors are excited to consume this season.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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The inclusion created viral moments around social media with BLACKPINK’s global fanbase excited to see the song’s inclusion and the Shazam charts showing clear curiosity from viewers to find out more about the music.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Subsequent reports revealed that Bolsonaro and his allies had devised a baroque plot to regain power, which included jailing and possibly murdering their political opponents.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
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The imposing gothic details of Victor’s castle-laboratory—a portentous warrior-angel statue that comes to life, a screaming Medusa rondel carved in stone—vibrate with gloomy baroque majesty.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As officers tried to determine if he was connected to the disturbance, Cusick allegedly became agitated and produced a firearm, Depue said earlier.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
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The phenomenon is caused by a chemical reaction the algae produce when they are agitated or disturbed — if they are grabbed by a predator, for example, or experience a surge of movement from a wave or swimmer.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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During the Edwardian period and early 20th century, luxury fur coats, full-length wraps, stoles, and extravagant collars were at the height of fashion—as much a symbol of wealth as any jewel.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The spread is a rare offering in the Gopher State, where such extravagant homes don’t hit the market all that often.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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