OVERLY Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

overly

adverb

ˈō-vər-lē

Definition of overly

as in too

beyond a normal or acceptable limit there's no need to be overly careful about the rough draft, since we'll polish it afterwards

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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 overly Robert Jones, a strategist for the Valadao campaign, told The Times on Tuesday that the campaign had been in close communication with the registrar’s office and was not overly concerned. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Competing eVTOL manufacturers such as Eve Air Mobility and Joby Aviation share the same issues, along with a history of overly optimistic forecasts about securing regulatory approval. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Avoid overly specific labels that might be difficult to recall months later. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Yet, the brothers aren’t looking to get overly political, even if their films are often satires. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overly

Adverb

But the clean provenance and their New York highlife has never appeased Pooh partisans who think Fifth Avenue is much too far from the Hundred Acre Wood.

— STEVE HENDRIX THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The implication was that his predecessor Scott Stuber had overpaid for talent and too-ambitiously committed to a new Netflix movie release every week in 2022.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of too

Adverb

Workaholism is defined as a combination of working excessively and compulsively.

— Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Despite the warmer temperatures, moisture levels will remain relatively limited, so conditions should not feel excessively humid.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessively

Adverb

There are many different types of life deserving of our respect, but that doesn’t mean a very simple life-form on Mars should unduly eliminate any possible benefit humans could gain by going there.

— Lee Billings, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
The order and accompanying legislation must be designed so that collecting and disseminating foreign trade secrets advances defense and intelligence priorities and does not unduly distort the free market.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of unduly

Browse Nearby Words

overloud

overly

overlying

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“Overly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of overly

adverb

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