1
as in heated
being in a state of increased activity or agitation
became overwrought when she heard that her child was missing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ornate
elaborately and often excessively decorated
the author's prose is overwrought with purple passages and florid metaphors
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwrought
Love Is Blind thrives on overwrought music cues, and its soaring, on-the-nose ballads are just another layer of the show’s orchestrated melodrama.
—
Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025
Archangel-Ortiz was removed from the hospital by security the previous night after becoming irate and emotionally overwrought following a diagnosis that there was no other treatment available for his wife, the official briefed on the investigation said.
—Chris Boyette, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
Everything falls apart once overwrought tragedy strikes in the final act, and the characters’ angst is much less compelling than their all-consuming lust.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
The moment feels false and overwrought in a movie that otherwise is a model of restraint.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025
Archangel-Ortiz was removed from the hospital by security the previous night after becoming irate and emotionally overwrought following a diagnosis that there was no other treatment available for his wife, the official briefed on the investigation said.
—Chris Boyette, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
Everything falls apart once overwrought tragedy strikes in the final act, and the characters’ angst is much less compelling than their all-consuming lust.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
The moment feels false and overwrought in a movie that otherwise is a model of restraint.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
Adjective
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Earlier this year, the UK government backed plans to expand Heathrow Airport by building a third runway after years of heated debate.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
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Valles suggests heating the hair with a curler before using the heated rollers.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Enameled and gilded and madly ornate, installed under ultra-bright lights in a nook-like space — a former butler’s pantry?—
Holland Cotter,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2025
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While Gomez has forged a refined, ladylike look in powder-blue Prada and anticipatory bridal whites, with ornate custom Ralph Lauren and glittering Armani Prive for her red carpet appearances, Blanco loves pale linens, loud prints, and hippie hemp materials.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Julianne being available and excited, wanting to come and play in the sandbox; James, similarly.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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So, when the opportunity to visit Tanzania arose, I was intrigued and excited to embark on this journey.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Measuring in at 19 inches by 31 inches, the mirror features baroque ornate details at the top, giving it that retro look, and is built with high-quality glass.—
Amy Schulman,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
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The design embraces opulence with a colonial and baroque influence, majestic chandeliers and antique furnishings.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As the teen grows increasingly agitated by Briony’s questioning, desperate to take charge of the conversation, the camera pans around the pair, giving the audience a feeling of cage-like entrapment.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2025
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While the crew was meeting to decide whether or not to turn the plane around, Augustin became more agitated and began punching and kicking the seat and passenger in front of him, the court document says.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Princess Diana and then Prince Charles tied the knot in an extravagant ceremony on July 29, 1981.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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But now, their youngest is being encouraged by her fiancé's parents to have an extravagant wedding.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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