overwrought

adjective

ˌō-vər-ˈrȯt How to pronounce overwrought (audio)
Definition of overwroughtnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 Advertisement All the Pride Match objections from Iran and Egypt’s soccer governing bodies proved overwrought. — Sean Gregory, Time, 27 June 2026 Where once she was ridiculed as emotionally overwrought with outlandish opinions, now she is greatly admired for her bold life choices and the progressive views of her Vindication of the Rights of Woman. — Literary Hub, 5 June 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 See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
  1. heated
  2. ornate
  3. excited
  4. baroque
  5. agitated
  6. extravagant
Adjective
  • Other players have covered their mouths while speaking to opponents during the World Cup, but a red card is only issued if the conversation occurs during a confrontation or heated exchange.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • The living room has hardwood floors and beamed ceilings; the kitchen includes a peninsula and a sitting area that opens to a balcony; and the primary suite features a bath with heated floors.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 30 June 2026
Definition of heated
Adjective
  • The ornate dress hit just above the ankle, revealing a pair of metallic gold pumps with a lustrous finish.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026
  • Opened in 1901, the ornate behemoth in Center City, built in the style of the Second Empire, remains a showstopper today.
    — Regan Stephens, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of ornate
Adjective
  • The 21-year-old was nervous and excited putting on the Lakers’ gold jersey Friday at Chase Center.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Mauricio Umansky, Richards' estranged husband, is just as excited for the family's new addition.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • Gyllenhaal received the President’s Award on Friday at the festival’s opening night ceremony, and talked to the international press on Saturday in a suite at the neo-baroque Grand Hotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary.
    — Carole Horst, Variety, 4 July 2026
  • There were even more turns — including civil litigation that continues to this day — in what was already a baroque narrative.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
Definition of baroque
Adjective
  • People with heat stroke can feel confused, unable to speak properly and agitated.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 2 July 2026
  • However, first base umpire Todd Tichenor tossed the agitated second baseman after Chisholm spiked his helmet toward home plate.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • There is always a suspension of disbelief required in luxury fashion, as designers use the runway to communicate their most extravagant, pie-in-the-sky vision of what clothes could be.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • Davis was known to the world for his extravagant style and lavish Grammy parties.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Definition of extravagant

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overworks
overwrought
ovoid
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Cite this Entry

“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on overwrought

Nglish: Translation of overwrought for Spanish Speakers

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