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Synonyms

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.

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.
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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Banks say the yield payments could drain deposits, while crypto firms say the threat is overblown and that banks just don’t want the competition.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

I’ll admit it: I think our collective weeknight blender hatred is a bit overblown.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

He was steadfast that all he was doing was helping, that the objections were cosmetic, and overblown.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Worries about risks from AI-driven disruption are overblown, the note adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Evan, Jessie, and Mrs. Treski sat watching, silent but for the occasional "Oohhh" and "Aahhh" that seemed to escape from their lips like hissing air from an overblown tire.

From "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.