overblown

¹ American  

[oh-ver-blohn] / ˈoʊ vərˈbloʊn /

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.

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verb

1. past participle of overblow.

overblown ² American  

[oh-ver-blohn] / ˈoʊ vərˈbloʊn /

adjective

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

   an overblown rose.

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overblown British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈbləʊn /

adjective

1. overdone or excessive

2. bombastic; turgid

   overblown prose

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

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Etymology

Origin of overblown¹

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

Origin of overblown²

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

Example Sentences

In a pattern that mirrored other software selloffs, cybersecurity companies fell further, regardless of any expert analysis suggesting the market reaction was overblown.

From The Wall Street Journal

In short, while the SaaS-led scare may be overblown, the root questions that prompted it can’t be easily dismissed or resolved.

From Barron's

His adviser told him that he was invested in a different Blue Owl OWL 2.78%increase; green up pointing triangle fund and that the fears around headlines were overblown.

From The Wall Street Journal

My latest column, “The Big Scary Myth Stalking the Stock Market,” argues that the fears about overconcentration are overblown.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some analysts argue any perception of American weakness may be overblown.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disproportionate
• inflated
• pretentious
• superfluous