overtly
adverb
overt·ly
ō-ˈvərt-lē 
ˈō-(ˌ)vərt-
: in an overt manner : in a way that is open, straightforward, or obvious
an overtly racist remark
an overtly political message
… the fashion of dumbing down the public discourse was over. Being overtly brainy, simply being oneself, was back in style.—
Elizabeth Drew
Elizabeth DrewIn the late 1860's interest gradually waned in landscape paintings that overtly conveyed nationalistic, philosophical, and religious meanings.—Franklin Kelly
Franklin KellyIt is now easier for French writers to write more overtly about the occupation because their country is now stressing reconciliation, forgiveness for whatever wrongs were done then …—Barbara Probst Solomon
Barbara Probst SolomonExamples of overtly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the frontrunner acting nominees — Zoe Saldaña, Kieran Culkin, Demi Moore, Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody — none of their acceptance speeches this award cycle have been overtly political.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Hackman is often hailed as Hollywood’s ultimate tough guy but the range of his 100 movie credits and his dislike of overtly violent roles and anti-gun stance paints a more complex picture of a man who went through hard times in his childhood and early adulthood before achieving fame.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2025
He was succeeded by Mohammad Khatami, a moderate who more overtly sought to improve relations with Washington.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
During the past 52 years, the Saudis have never again used oil as a weapon for overtly political purposes.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overtly
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Alexandra Banner, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Hackman is often hailed as Hollywood’s ultimate tough guy but the range of his 100 movie credits and his dislike of overtly violent roles and anti-gun stance paints a more complex picture of a man who went through hard times in his childhood and early adulthood before achieving fame.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2025
He was succeeded by Mohammad Khatami, a moderate who more overtly sought to improve relations with Washington.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
During the past 52 years, the Saudis have never again used oil as a weapon for overtly political purposes.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overtly
Cite this Entry
“Overtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtly. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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