overtly

adverb

overt·​ly ō-ˈvərt-lē How to pronounce overtly (audio)
ˈō-(ˌ)vərt-
: in an overt manner : in a way that is open, straightforward, or obvious
an overtly racist remark
an overtly political message
… the fashion of dumbing down the public discourse was over. Being overtly brainy, simply being oneself, was back in style.Elizabeth Drew
In the late 1860's interest gradually waned in landscape paintings that overtly conveyed nationalistic, philosophical, and religious meanings.Franklin Kelly
It is now easier for French writers to write more overtly about the occupation because their country is now stressing reconciliation, forgiveness for whatever wrongs were done then …Barbara Probst Solomon

Examples of overtly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Some of his shows are overtly about gangsters and drug dealers, like Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown. Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024 The bottom line: Since at least 2020, when so many companies spoke up in the wake of George Floyd's killing, companies have been labeled as overtly liberal by right-wing commentators. Emily Peck, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024 At high doses, users experience euphoria, but the drug seems low risk and not as overtly haram as alcohol. Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 Better to never spell it out at all (audiences are clever) than to explain it too soon or too overtly. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overtly 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtly was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near overtly

Cite this Entry

“Overtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtly. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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