overwrought

adjective

ˌō-vər-ˈrȯt How to pronounce overwrought (audio)
Definition of overwroughtnext
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

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 overwrought 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 No premature judgment and no overwrought sympathy here. — Bob Wojnowski, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026 Keep accessories and outer layers minimal; a shoulder or bucket bag, jean jacket, or cardigan will keep this ‘fit from feeling overwrought. — Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 18 June 2026 Where once she was ridiculed as emotionally overwrought with outlandish opinions, now she is greatly admired for her bold life choices and the progressive views of her Vindication of the Rights of Woman. — Literary Hub, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
  1. heated
  2. ornate
  3. excited
  4. baroque
  5. agitated
  6. extravagant
Adjective
  • Trump has placed tariffs at the center of his agenda throughout his second term in the White House, though his use of the economic tool has faced some major legal setbacks and stoked heated pushback from other countries.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
  • According to reporting by Axios, Nixon and the FDP Chair Nikkie Fried had a heated phone call on Friday, during which the party chair expressed concern about the candidate’s ties to the DSA.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of heated
Adjective
  • Instead of the ornate porcelain and cloisonné enameling often associated with imperial vases, this one is made of blown glass.
    — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • By 1988, when Phantom debuted on Broadway, the Reagan-era consumer culture and flashy opulence were on their way out, so the ornate, maximalist sets and the lush orchestrations felt off-key to reviewers.
    — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of ornate
Adjective
  • On the opposite sideline, Trimble Tech Head Coach MK Hamilton entered the season with a more experienced roster and was excited about the leadership his veteran players bring.
    — Riley Ledesma, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Atlanta native is excited to carry his dreams and the family name forward.
    — PJ Green August 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara features open-heart motifs set with diamonds and 19 baroque pearls beneath.
    — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
  • There’s just something so deeply magnetic about baroque pearls, which are known for their irregular, non-spherical shape.
    — Selene Oliva, Glamour, 13 July 2026
Definition of baroque
Adjective
  • Officers described the videos recorded by that camera, writing that Westman seemed agitated after a visit with family and at times sobbed before driving by the church and school the night before the attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • This has driven some agitated investors to see parallels between the current market and the conditions leading up to the dot-com crash of 2000-2002, when the overall S&P 500 lost nearly half its value.
    — Joe D'Allegro, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • Despite all of this potential economic turmoil on the Canadian side, Carney still concluded that at the end of the day, the cost of acceding to Washington’s extravagant demands was higher than the cost of job losses and strain on a key industry.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Their journey leads them through an extravagant amusement park built on the grounds of a drug lord’s former estate.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of extravagant

Browse Nearby Words

overworks
overwrought
ovoid
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Cite this Entry

“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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