overblown

1 of 2

adjective (1)

over·​blown ˌō-vər-ˈblōn 

: past the prime of bloom

overblown roses

overblown

2 of 2

adjective (2)

1

: excessively large in girth : portly

2

: inflated

overblown claims

overblown rhetoric

also : pretentious

Synonyms

Adjective (2)

• bloated
• exaggerated
• hyperbolized
• inflated
• outsize
• outsized
• overdrawn
• overweening

Examples of overblown in a Sentence

Adjective (2)

overblown predictions of financial calamity after the company had one bad quarter

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

On the Panama Canal, Trump has used overblown claims about China's involvement in its operations to justify his interest in overtaking it -- falsely claiming earlier this month that the waterway, which is operated by the Panamanian government, is actually run by Beijing. —Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025

The panelists all seemed to agree, however, that the threat environment for election officials was overblown by the media. —Miles Parks, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025

Opponents of the bill argued such measures were overblown and could stifle innovation, much as Butler’s fictional society had done. —Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025

Trump has long scorned the very notion of domestic extremism, dismissing it as overblown or invented. —Will Carless, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

blow entry 3

Adjective (2)

blow entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1