How to Use overly in a Sentence

overly

adverb
Definition of overlynext
Synonyms for overlynext
  • They didn't seem overly concerned about the problem.
  • These directions are overly complex.
  • She's overly sensitive to criticism.
  • If the blondies are overly gooey in the center, give them more time to bake.
    — Emily Nabors Hall, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
  • The shell of the comforter is somewhat soft, not overly stiff and starchy, and there’s no fluff to it at all.
    — Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2024
  • Your bra should be snug but not overly tight, says Kendall.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
  • The microfiber is soft but not overly hot, and can be thrown in the washing machine to clean.
    — Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
  • The truth is that the question is overly simple, and there's no good answer.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Parents, 8 Dec. 2023
  • The problem isn’t that young people are overly stressed.
    — Allysia Finley, WSJ, 26 Nov. 2023
  • Keep in Mind The belt clip is overly stiff and difficult to use one-handed.
    — Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2023
  • The idea is for the shelf to not look overly curated, or like a retail display.
    — Ariel Okin, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2023
  • The design is very streamlined but perhaps overly simple for the $120 price point.
    — Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023
  • My croc brown leather boots meshed with the brown of the corset, keeping the look connected without overly matching.
    — Nyla Stanford, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023
  • The earthy matcha is complemented so nicely by the sweet cold foam — but still, the drink isn’t overly sugary.
    — Ana Calderone, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
  • Without being overly rigid, write out what the special time looks like.
    — Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
  • Corn casserole should have a pudding-like texture in the center, but not be overly mushy.
    — Karen Schroeder-Rankin, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2023
  • Look out for long, overly specific URLs, sites that haven’t been around for very long and offers that seem too good to be true.
    — Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2023
  • As a rule of thumb, a hand should be able to slide under, but the sweater shouldn’t necessarily be overly drapey.
    — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2023
  • The trick is to avoid pairing it with an outfit that’s overly girly or candy-colored—think grown-up and cool, rather than twee and sweet.
    — Hannah Coates, Glamour, 6 Feb. 2024
  • Fresh cubed watermelon is the star of the show, but don't expect an overly sweet result.
    — Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 29 July 2023
  • The Aussies might have become overly dependent on Kerr.
    — Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023
  • The drawings are fun but not overly complicated, and there are quite a few coffee recipes to test out as well.
    — Nykia Spradley, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2023
  • But Ko isn’t overly concerned with the morality of selling out.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2024
  • Of course, there are ways for employers to skirt the laws by posting overly broad salary ranges, for example.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
  • That’s what’s fun about it, and also what’s overly diagrammed.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Dec. 2023
  • The material was still very breathable and not overly hot.
    — Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2024
  • The speeches were mostly tight and focused, perhaps overly so.
    — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2024
  • Whenever my thumb glanced too close, the overly sensitive touchscreen picked it up as a left click.
    — Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 11 May 2023
  • Take a tiny spoonful and check for funky or overly sour flavors, which are indicators of spoilage.
    — Korin Miller, Women's Health, 1 Aug. 2023
  • But an overly hearty ciabatta roll sucks up any and all moisture, leaving the sandwich far too dry.
    — Lucas Kwan Peterson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023

Some of 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.

Last Updated: