adjective

overwrought

/ˌoʊvərˈrɔːt/ · say it: OH·ver·RAWT

in a state of nervous excitement

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (adjective) too emotional or nervous; extremely upset or agitated

2. (adjective) made with too much decorative detail or effort; overly complicated

Examples

1. She felt overwrought after the stressful day and needed to calm down.
2. The overwrought design of the building had too many unnecessary decorations.

How to use overwrought

Overwrought describes either emotional excess (someone highly strung or disproportionately upset) or stylistic excess (design or writing that is needlessly elaborate or ornamental). It carries a critical tone, suggesting the emotional reaction or aesthetic choice is exaggerated or inappropriate for the situation. The emotional sense has become somewhat dated in favor of 'overemotional,' while the decorative sense remains standard in art and literary criticism.

Common phrases

overwrought prose
overwrought response
overwrought design
feel overwrought
seem overwrought
overwrought with detail

Synonyms

overemotional · anxious · agitated · ornate · overdecorated

Opposites

calm · understated · simple

Word family

wrought · wrought up

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse overwrought with 'overworked,' which means exhausted from too much work, not emotionally excessive or overly decorated.

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