OVERLY Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

overly

adverb

ˈō-vər-lē

Definition of overly

as in too

beyond a normal or acceptable limit there's no need to be overly careful about the rough draft, since we'll polish it afterwards

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overly Manager Craig Counsell did not seem overly concerned with Palencia’s outing and thought his stuff still looked good. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 My biggest challenge as an artist that’s been doing this for close to 20 years now is to try not to be overly redundant with your material, but then try not to stray away from what butters your biscuit. — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 Crafted from quality linen, the dress has earned praise from shoppers for its high-quality fabric that’s easy to wash and doesn’t look overly wrinkled. — Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 His reduction stemmed from legislative changes from the past few years that gave judges the ability to strike firearm enhancements criticized as overly punitive. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overly

Adverb

Aside from happy love affairs that usually turn into friendships, there might seem from the outside to be too little family in my life.

— Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
The slouchy, mockneck sweater is back again, this time with plenty of cropped and cardigan options, too.

— Jordan Julian, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of too

Adverb

These approaches either failed to provide sufficient grip or stretched excessively under rotation.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Within that, the specific element of the tracking data which makes batting so tough is the inconsistency of bounce, with a large number of deliveries either spitting (bouncing excessively) or scooting (bouncing far less than anticipated).

— Ben Jones Aug. 26, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of excessively

Adverb

In its counterarguments, Google contended would be unduly harsh to break up a complex network that distributes ads that online publishers depend upon to help finance digital services used by millions of consumers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Some complained that the criteria unduly restricted American power.

— KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of unduly

Adverb

This pre-seasoned, ¼ inch thick steel heat extremely evenly with minimal disparity between the center and edges.

— Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Search for jet quenching Previous experiments suggest that a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, even as temperatures remained extremely high, matter did not behave like gas but instead like liquid with very low viscosity.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremely

Browse Nearby Words

overloud

overly

overlying

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“Overly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of overly

adverb

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