overwrought

[oh-ver-rawt, oh-ver-]

adjective

1. extremely or excessively excited or agitated.

   to become overwrought on hearing bad news; an overwrought personality.

   Synonyms: frantic, distracted

2. elaborated to excess; excessively complex or ornate.

   written in a florid, overwrought style.

3. Archaic.,  wearied or exhausted by overwork.

overwrought

/ ˌəʊvəˈrɔːt /

adjective

1. full of nervous tension; agitated

2. too elaborate; fussy

   an overwrought style

3. with the surface decorated or adorned

Word History and Origins

Origin of overwrought¹

First recorded in 1660–70; over- + wrought

Example Sentences

Previous Lincoln scholars have treated the Lyceum Speech more as an outburst than an oration, at best the overwrought declamation of a gifted tyro.

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The author lamented that modern cakes — particularly those deemed chic enough for social media or a well-dressed birthday party — had become overwrought and overdesigned.

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She said concerns about politicized content are overwrought.

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I encountered Navarro in 2012, when he made a minor splash on the documentary film circuit with “Death by China,” a provocative if overwrought manifesto based on his book of the same title.

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But in this age of expensive and overwrought world-building, it’s Ellison’s experiential care with well-worn material that delivers the goods.

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Related Words

• frantic