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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Recent Examples of overwrought
From political infighting among an international coterie of bishops, to nosy clerical gossiping, to Isabella Rossellini as a nun with ulterior motives, to car bombs, the movie — based on an airport novel of the same name by Robert Harris — is arguably overwrought and overstuffed, if endlessly fun.
—
Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 12 Jan. 2025
The film is a feat of maximalist and moody production design and cinematography, but the tedious and overwrought script renders every character two-dimensional, despite the effortful acting and teary pronunciations.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
However retrograde the racial politics and overwrought the melodrama may look today, The Emperor Jones was in its time an unprecedented cinematic celebration of potent Black masculinity.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
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, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 12 Jan. 2025
The film is a feat of maximalist and moody production design and cinematography, but the tedious and overwrought script renders every character two-dimensional, despite the effortful acting and teary pronunciations.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
However retrograde the racial politics and overwrought the melodrama may look today, The Emperor Jones was in its time an unprecedented cinematic celebration of potent Black masculinity.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
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, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwrought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwrought
Adjective
-
Events that used to lead to days or weeks of heated discourse now fade into nothingness almost instantaneously; nothing matters enough to break the internet anymore.—
Meaghan Garvey,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The heated debates around diversity, equity and inclusion are drowning out something far more important: our children’s ability to learn about and appreciate different cultures.—
Britt Hogue,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The strapless dress featured a soft, feminine look, complete with a peachy tone and complemented by ornate white lace embroidery on the bodice and skirt.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
26 Feb. 2025
-
That means leaving the ornate, heavy, intricate lighting in the early 2000s.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The prospect of an electric AMG supercar is something worth getting excited about.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Create awesome emails that make your dream customers excited to open, ready to buy.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Savor almond and espresso gelati while visiting baroque churches on piazzas built by ancient Greeks.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
1 Feb. 2025
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Watch on Deadline Van Kampen wrote the play Farinelli and the King and its baroque music.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Zaitsev allegedly became agitated while the agents walked him through a hallway.—
City News Service,
Orange County Register,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Although Allen is best known for promulgating a certain set of character types in his classic films, his own bookish worrywart or Diane Keaton’s moodily anxious beauty, he also must be credited for seeing the comic possibilities of the altogether less agitated and more grounded Roberts.—
Peter Tonguette,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the more extravagant is Maass by chef Ryan Ratino.—
Liza B. Zimmerman,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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This fresh, modern reimagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic by Andrew Ahn follows a group of friends who need to get married for convenience—until family arrives, and the plan spirals into extravagant, chaotic mayhem.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to overwrought
Cite this Entry
“Overwrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwrought. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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