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 resulting performance is terribly overwrought, and more than a little fun to watch in its grasping bigness.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2025
Officials need to spend more time reforming existing programs and less time getting overwrought.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Regretting You is a similarly ridiculous and overwrought slice of melodrama, leavened with strange moments of comedy that leave you wondering if the whole thing isn’t some kind of bizarre art project, an elaborate, camp parody of the very notion of romantic literature itself.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
This is the kind of overwrought language that even sympathetic readers like me find laughable.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2025
Officials need to spend more time reforming existing programs and less time getting overwrought.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Regretting You is a similarly ridiculous and overwrought slice of melodrama, leavened with strange moments of comedy that leave you wondering if the whole thing isn’t some kind of bizarre art project, an elaborate, camp parody of the very notion of romantic literature itself.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
This is the kind of overwrought language that even sympathetic readers like me find laughable.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
Adjective
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Law enforcement experts who reviewed the videos for CNN said the officers’ use of deadly force likely stemmed from lack of training or a failure by the agents to follow it during the heated encounter.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Within the heated tent, visitors can also enjoy live acoustic music by local musician Jamey Darnold.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The vaulted lobby, dressed up in jewel tones, ornate wall panels, and mixed materials, sets the tone for the rest of your visit.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sophie’s wonderment at the ornate environment catches Benedict’s attention.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Bowe is excited for the 2026 Winter Games — particularly the return to fans in the stands, as they were still barred from attending in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
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Strassler is particularly excited about the study of radioactive thorium-229 decay, which could reveal variations in the fundamental constants.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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It could be said that Send Help indulges in more baroque plot twists than fully necessary and begins to lose some steam toward the end.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
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Rovinj’s cobbled lanes, baroque churches, and seafood bistros are just a 10-minute walk away.—
Jonnie Bayfield,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
They easily could have been mistaken for agitated sports fans, and their actions were small and diffuse enough that they could be quickly dispersed.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Stewart conjures Lidia’s complex inner life with agitated images and a bold editing scheme that flashes back and ahead.—
Jillian Steinhauer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What extravagant actions can a life of astonishing clothes inspire?—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Since the royal Netflix show first premiered in December 2020, fans have fallen in love with its steamy romance, extravagant costumes and wide range of classical covers of some of the biggest pop hits.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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