1
as in heated
being in a state of increased activity or agitation
became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing
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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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Recent Examples of overwrought
Watch on Deadline Writer Mak Tin-shu, whose credits include last year’s milestone alien invasion extravaganza Warriors of Future, offsets the action with a generous showering of overwrought melodrama, as is to be expected from such a bombastic crowdpleaser.
—
James Marsh, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research NO: Even after a computer beat the world champion human chess player, fears of machines taking over the world and destroying mankind are overwrought.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2024
No word is overwrought, no phrase fraught with unearned feeling, no hand ioverplayed.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
It Chapter Two is down to clown, again — in a bloody, silly, overwrought sequel
Moving down the tension scale to thrillers, Netflix is offloading a few particularly popular titles.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overwrought 
James Marsh, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research NO: Even after a computer beat the world champion human chess player, fears of machines taking over the world and destroying mankind are overwrought.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2024
No word is overwrought, no phrase fraught with unearned feeling, no hand ioverplayed.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
It Chapter Two is down to clown, again — in a bloody, silly, overwrought sequel
Moving down the tension scale to thrillers, Netflix is offloading a few particularly popular titles.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
Adjective
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Each offer multiple dining options, robust spa services, and heated pools.—
Brad Japhe,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
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Outdoors, a heated in-ground swimming pool, a lounge area, and a barbecue station are positioned around a landscaped lot that’s just shy of an acre.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The yacht manages to feel palatial and opulent, without the overdone, stuffy feeling that sometimes goes hand in hand with ornate styling.—
Katia Damborsky,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Staff and alumni of Harris' operation stuffed themselves into the ornate room.—
Michael Collins,
USA TODAY,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Although the rivalry between Daredevil and Kingpin is likely what Daredevil fans are most excited to see in Born Again, the trailer makes clear that other old friends will be along for the ride as well.—
Christian Holub,
EW.com,
15 Jan. 2025
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Looking to the future, there are plenty of upcoming Star Wars games to be excited about as well as the return of Andor in 2025 and The Mandalorian & Grogu hitting cinemas in 2026.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Watch on Deadline Van Kampen wrote the play Farinelli and the King and its baroque music.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
18 Jan. 2025
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As environmental changes damage traditional terracotta sculptures, training local artisans to conserve these baroque masterpieces can help revive a local ceramics tradition.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The climax is a horrendous German burning of a village, as striking for its visual imagery as for its agitated music.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
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The inaugural film in The Conjuring franchise understands that seasoned viewers of haunted-house films know what signs to look for by now: cold spots, agitated pets, clocks that stop ticking.—
Gayle Sequeira,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As for the gifts, though in this case extravagant, aren’t those part of a writer’s life as well?—
Han Ong,
The New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2025
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The gang leader wasn't greedy with his newfound riches, though, instead showering family and close friends with extravagant gifts.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
12 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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