overly

adverb

over·​ly ˈō-vər-lē How to pronounce overly (audio)
: to an excessive degree : too

Examples of overly in a Sentence

These directions are overly complex. She's overly sensitive to criticism. They didn't seem overly concerned about the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Some blame the problem on an overly aggressive Donald Trump, bent on expanding executive power beyond constitutional limits. Robert J. Delahunty, National Review, 26 Mar. 2025 Authenticity remains critical, as many consumers are quick to detect overly promotional content. Denis Sinelnikov, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 This data then gets shuffled together and presented in the form of overly technical metrics in confusing reports that fail to deliver any meaningful business risk indicators to leadership. Bob Ackerman, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Kennedy, likewise, seems focused more so on overly simplistic solutions, like firing the staff of FDA’s food center, than on altering the structures that have made those workers so inefficient. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overly

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overly was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Overly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overly. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

overly

adverb
over·​ly ˈō-vər-lē How to pronounce overly (audio)
: to an excessive degree : too

More from Merriam-Webster on overly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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