overblown

¹

[oh-ver-blohn]

adjective

1. overdone or excessive.

   overblown praise.

2. of unusually large size or proportions.

   a majestic, overblown figure.

3. overinflated; turgid; bombastic; pretentious.

   overblown prose.

verb

1. past participle of overblow.

overblown

²

[oh-ver-blohn]

adjective

1. (of a flower) past the stage of full bloom; more than full-blown.

   an overblown rose.

overblown

/ ˌəʊvəˈbləʊn /

adjective

1. overdone or excessive

2. bombastic; turgid

   overblown prose

3. (of flowers, such as the rose) past the stage of full bloom

Word History and Origins

Origin of overblown¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; over- + blown ¹

Origin of overblown²

First recorded in 1610–20; over- + blown ²

Example Sentences

With that upside potential, Thill sees an attractive risk-reward balance for shares at current prices and views the selloff as overblown.

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I asked him about Israeli claims that attacks by settlers were overblown.

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A spokesperson for Sultana said "briefings of possible liabilities are overblown," but added "all remaining funds will be transferred to Your Party once the company's costs and liabilities are settled in full".

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But those concerns are “overblown,” according to Nispel, and AT&T has plenty of things working in its favor.

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The selloff is probably down to “overblown” concerns about the fierce battle for mobile phone subscribers, Nispel wrote in a research note.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• disproportionate 
• inflated 
• pretentious 
• superfluous