How to Use overly in a Sentence

overly

adverb
  • They didn't seem overly concerned about the problem.
  • These directions are overly complex.
  • She's overly sensitive to criticism.
  • The gloves are warm but not overly thick or bulky.
    — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Make sure the potting mix is moist but not overly wet.
    — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Dry soil or overly wet soil can also cause buds to drop.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Keep the plants moist but not overly wet until fall.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
  • Lavender likes a moist but not overly wet soil.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
  • On the other hand, overly wet soil leads to root rot.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The rule-of-thumb is not to be overly verbose.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • The headphones sound overly bassy from the start.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
  • All nine justices agreed the law was too broad and overly harsh.
    — Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • Avoid planting it in overly rich soil.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
  • So we shouldn’t be overly shocked if the same thing happens this year.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Not dead, but not overly busy, either.
    — Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
  • If the blondies are overly gooey in the center, give them more time to bake.
    — Emily Nabors Hall, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
  • Stark, overly cold spaces are out.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026
  • If the soil is overly dry and the leaves feel crispy, the plants need more water.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
  • Monitor the spot and keep the area moist but not overly wet.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Avoid baggy or overly long costumes that can cause trips and falls.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Anything that felt decadent or overly adorned seemed too rich in the show.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Skip the overly stiff hairspray.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Watch for flare-ups and make sure your chicken does not overly blacken.
    — Mackensy Lunsford, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2022
  • Kpeenu isn’t overly elusive and has some stiffness to his style.
    — Jake Ciely, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Like most succulents, this plant won't do well in overly damp soils.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The cost is that the freestyle played overly aggressive.
    — Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2026
  • Frette linen bathrobes were soft, not overly cumbersome like most robes tend to be.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • Avoid cool or overly bright greens like chartreuse in bedrooms.
    — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Of course some of them are overly sensitive!
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
  • But this turned out to be overly optimistic.
    — Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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