overtly

adverb

overt·​ly ō-ˈvərt-lē 

ˈō-(ˌ)vərt-

: in an overt manner : in a way that is open, straightforward, or obvious

an overtly hostile 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

British monarchs are subject to rules and norms meant to prevent them from taking overtly political stands. —Emma Caughlan, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026

Attorney Jason Steck, representing the daycares, claims the language against Hopkins Child Care Center and Cloud Academy is overtly vague. —Wcco Staff, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026

Hyper-stylized and overtly sinister, the new trailer opens on Dakota Johnson drifting through a shadowy, intimate home wearing a silk robe. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026

One of them, prediction markets, has become overtly political. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overtly

• covertly
• curtly