Definitions

overwrought

[oh-ver-rawt, oh-ver-] / ˈoʊ vərˈrɔt, ˌoʊ vər- /

ADJECTIVE

exhausted and excited

Synonyms

STRONGEST

frantic

WEAK

affected agitated all shook up beside oneself crazy distracted emotional excitable fired-up flipped-out freaked-out histrionic histrionical hot under collar hot-and-bothered hyper in a state nervous neurotic on edge overexcited overstrung overworked spent steamed up stirred strung-out tense tired uneasy unstrung uptight weary wired worked-up worn wound-up

Antonyms

WEAK

calm collected cool rested unruffled

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.

Its empirics are weak External link, its theory underspecified External link, and its narrative overwrought.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

The situation is so overwrought in this episode.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

A former trader, Baird’s Antonelli warned that the pullback from software stocks could already be overwrought.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

But in the case of this maudlin, overwrought drama, “keep your eyes open” would be a more fitting demand.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025

Their suspicions about their neighbor and their teacher suddenly seemed overwrought and childish.

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett

Vocabulary lists containing overwrought

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