Overwrought
adjective
Too worried or upset.
He became overwrought when he lost his keys.
Often appears as...
- overwrought with worry
- overwrought with grief
adjective
Too complex or decorated.
The design of the dress was overwrought and complicated.
Often appears as...
- overwrought design
- overwrought style
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Too excited or nervous.
He became overwrought at the thought of public speaking.
Often appears as...
- overwrought because
- overwrought at the thought
adjective
Too worried or upset.
He became overwrought when he lost his keys.
Often appears as...
- overwrought with worry
- overwrought with grief
adjective
Too complex or decorated.
The design of the dress was overwrought and complicated.
Often appears as...
- overwrought design
- overwrought style
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Too excited or nervous.
He became overwrought at the thought of public speaking.
Often appears as...
- overwrought because
- overwrought at the thought
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
Suggests an overwhelming level of emotion that's hard to control.
He was overwrought upon hearing the tragic news.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Feelings
Often used to express negative emotional states, rarely positive ones.
Her overwrought pleas for help conveyed her despair.
Pro Tip 3/3Extreme Reaction
Indicates a reaction beyond what's normally expected.
Missing the train left him overwrought and inconsolable.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
Suggests an overwhelming level of emotion that's hard to control.
He was overwrought upon hearing the tragic news.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Feelings
Often used to express negative emotional states, rarely positive ones.
Her overwrought pleas for help conveyed her despair.
Pro Tip 3/3Extreme Reaction
Indicates a reaction beyond what's normally expected.
Missing the train left him overwrought and inconsolable.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
Suggests an overwhelming level of emotion that's hard to control.
He was overwrought upon hearing the tragic news.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Feelings
Often used to express negative emotional states, rarely positive ones.
Her overwrought pleas for help conveyed her despair.
Pro Tip 3/3Extreme Reaction
Indicates a reaction beyond what's normally expected.
Missing the train left him overwrought and inconsolable.
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Quote examples
Guillermo del Toro
Mexican Director
There is a heavy Mexican Catholic streak in my movies, and a huge Mexican sense of melodrama. Everything is overwrought, and there's a sense of acceptance of the fantastic in my films, which is innately Mexican. So when people ask, 'How can you define the Mexican-ness of your films?' I go, 'How can I not?' It's all I am.
Quote examples
Jennifer Yuh Nelson
South Korean Director
If you have a movie that doesn't strive to go to a certain emotional point, you can do anything and it will be fine and funny. But if you have something pretty emotional at its core, you have to make it right. You don't want it overwrought or unearned. Everything has to be moving towards this one thing.
Quote examples
Andrew W.K.
American Musician
You're not alone' can be a great thing to hear when you're feeling quite despondent and alienated from the world and yourself. But if you're someone who's been completely overwrought with the intensity of life and the world, getting some space to be alone can be one of the things you crave most.
Quote examples
Dennis Prager
American Journalist
I have never written that there is a threat of fascism in America. I always considered the idea overwrought. But now I believe there really is such a threat - and it will come draped not in an American flag, but in the name of tolerance and health.
Quote examples
Ellen Datlow
American Editor
Despite the fact that he's been dead for over seventy years and his prose considered purple and overwrought by many, H.P. Lovecraft's work is still widely read and has remained influential for generations.
Quote examples
China Mieville
English Writer
I think there's something quite interesting about the almost tragic quality of a lot of overwrought prose, because it has a much more self-conscious awareness of its own failure to touch the real.
Quote examples
Jane Haddam
American Writer
You've either got to find a way to make your continuing characters insteresting without making them maudlin or overwrought, or you've got to put more emphasis on the suspects.
Quote examples
Kara Walker
American Artist
My work is really abject and self-effacing sometimes. I mean, it's big and overwrought, but it's just paper dolls, and it's kind of silly.
Quote examples
Robin Marantz Henig
Writer
The tenuousness of modern life can make anyone feel overwrought.
Quote examples
Sufjan Stevens
American Musician
I always hated 'O Holy Night.' It's so operatic and overwrought.
Quote examples
Guillermo del Toro
Mexican Director
There is a heavy Mexican Catholic streak in my movies, and a huge Mexican sense of melodrama. Everything is overwrought, and there's a sense of acceptance of the fantastic in my films, which is innately Mexican. So when people ask, 'How can you define the Mexican-ness of your films?' I go, 'How can I not?' It's all I am.
Quote examples
Jennifer Yuh Nelson
South Korean Director
If you have a movie that doesn't strive to go to a certain emotional point, you can do anything and it will be fine and funny. But if you have something pretty emotional at its core, you have to make it right. You don't want it overwrought or unearned. Everything has to be moving towards this one thing.
Quote examples
Andrew W.K.
American Musician
You're not alone' can be a great thing to hear when you're feeling quite despondent and alienated from the world and yourself. But if you're someone who's been completely overwrought with the intensity of life and the world, getting some space to be alone can be one of the things you crave most.
Quote examples
Dennis Prager
American Journalist
I have never written that there is a threat of fascism in America. I always considered the idea overwrought. But now I believe there really is such a threat - and it will come draped not in an American flag, but in the name of tolerance and health.
Quote examples
Ellen Datlow
American Editor
Despite the fact that he's been dead for over seventy years and his prose considered purple and overwrought by many, H.P. Lovecraft's work is still widely read and has remained influential for generations.
Quote examples
China Mieville
English Writer
I think there's something quite interesting about the almost tragic quality of a lot of overwrought prose, because it has a much more self-conscious awareness of its own failure to touch the real.
Quote examples
Jane Haddam
American Writer
You've either got to find a way to make your continuing characters insteresting without making them maudlin or overwrought, or you've got to put more emphasis on the suspects.
Quote examples
Kara Walker
American Artist
My work is really abject and self-effacing sometimes. I mean, it's big and overwrought, but it's just paper dolls, and it's kind of silly.
Quote examples
Robin Marantz Henig
Writer
The tenuousness of modern life can make anyone feel overwrought.
Quote examples
Sufjan Stevens
American Musician
I always hated 'O Holy Night.' It's so operatic and overwrought.
Example 1 of 10
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