overwrought

adjective

over·​wrought ˌō-vər-ˈrȯt 

ˌō-və-

1

: extremely excited : agitated

2

: elaborated to excess : overdone

Synonyms

• agitated
• excited
• feverish
• frenzied
• heated
• hectic
• hyperactive
• overactive

Examples of overwrought in a Sentence

The witness became overwrought as she described the crime.

became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing

Recent Examples on the Web

Box office glory didn’t override the reservation enough Tony voters clearly had about its overwrought anthems, ungainly storytelling and heavy-handed politics. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

Public spaces are upscale but not overwrought, with lots of inviting seating and dining spaces. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

past participle of overwork

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overwrought

adjective

over·​wrought ˌō-və(r)-ˈrȯt 

1

: extremely excited : agitated

overwrought feelings

2

: decorated too much : overdone