overtly

adverb

: in an overt manner : in a way that is open, straightforward, or obvious
an overtly hostile remark
an overtly political message
… the fashion of dumbing down the public discourse was over. Being overtly brainy, simply being oneself, was back in style.—Elizabeth Drew
In the late 1860's interest gradually waned in landscape paintings that overtly conveyed nationalistic, philosophical, and religious meanings.—Franklin Kelly
It is now easier for French writers to write more overtly about the occupation because their country is now stressing reconciliation, forgiveness for whatever wrongs were done then …—Barbara Probst Solomon

Examples of overtly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Her makeup, crafted by Diana Shin, was equally as striking and overtly feminine, featuring pink shadow smeared in her crease, shimmer on her lids, falsies glued to her top lash line and burgundy lip liner accenting her lips. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 There were earlier versions of this story that were openly mocking of Kip, versions that threw Leo under the bus for being too sly; versions that were too overtly political; versions with ghosts that didn’t need to be there, and so on. — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 This time, for its fourth rendition, organizers took a less overtly partisan tack by focusing on getting people to vote and eschewing the mass demonstrations of the past. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026 The eight-episode series follows Carrie White (Howell), a misfit high-schooler who has spent her life hidden away inside the walls of her home with her fiercely protective and overtly religious mother Margaret (Samantha Sloyan). — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overtly

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtly was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Overtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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