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

In the late 1860's interest gradually waned in landscape paintings that overtly conveyed nationalistic, philosophical, and religious meanings.

—Franklin Kelly

It 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

Examples of overtly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Walt Disney World’s newest resort offering isn’t overtly Disney – and that’s on purpose. —Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

There were more overtly political performances, too, vividly brought to life by Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci as cardinals fighting to see past their own ambition in Conclave, and John Magaro and Peter Sarsgaard as newsmen on the front lines of terrible history in September 5. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024

That includes the Biden administration as well as regional governments, like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which used to staunchly back the Syrian opposition, but are fearful of the overtly Islamist turn some opposition groups have taken. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 5 Dec. 2024

This comes partly from illustrating what can happen to a neighboring country that takes an overtly anti-Moscow path. —Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above