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

The leads can be overwrought, shouting lines across the stage while the Gothic-style doorways, sharp directional lighting and ooh-ahh practical effects do their complicated dance. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026

On the other, there is the overwrought but far-fetched revenge for her death. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 June 2026

Maybe overwrought prose or sentences loaded with adverbs will one day draw a little less derision. — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

To expect only a spin on Hawkins, Indiana, and the troubles of the Upside Down — the season-one version, mind you, before Stranger Things got so overwrought — would be a perfectly reasonable reaction to the way The Boroughs has been marketed. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 May 2026