These directions are overly complex.
She's overly sensitive to criticism.
They didn't seem overly concerned about the problem.
Recent Examples on the WebShoes that aren't overly rigid and hard will help your toddler develop strong, healthy feet and posture.—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 30 May 2024 And, most of all, they weren’t overly reliant on any one part of a previously top-heavy batting order.—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024 By attempting to connect the two tales, Morgan diminishes the effect of each, leaving viewers with an overly complicated narrative that nonetheless comes to a predictable conclusion.—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 28 May 2024 The jury in Earls’ murder trial had to decide over the course of a 12-day proceeding whether that gun was fired by an overly intoxicated antagonist or a scared man in self-defense.—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for overly
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of overly was
before the 12th century
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