overt

adjective

ō-ˈvərt How to pronounce overt (audio) ˈō-(ˌ)vərt How to pronounce overt (audio)
Synonyms of overt
: open to view : manifest
overt hostility
overt symptoms of the disease
overt discrimination
both overt and covert military action
overtness noun

Examples of overt 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.
Energy Levels Chicken carries both overt and under-the-surface benefits here. — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 Psyops can be overt or covert, but they’re designed with a clear objective, said Jan Goldman, a professor of intelligence and security studies at The Citadel who has also worked on psyops. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Wong added that luxury can be less about overt branding and more about materials, craftsmanship, and how a product feels and wears over time. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 More than 87% of influencer posts on social media about tests including full-body MRI, multi-cancer early detection tests and more offered a positive spin, according to a JAMA study published in February 2025; about 84% were overt promotions. — David Oliver, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from past participle of ovrir to open, from Vulgar Latin *operire, alteration of Latin aperire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for overt

See All Rhymes for overt

Browse Nearby Words

overswing
overt
overtake
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overt. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overt

adjective
ō-ˈvərt How to pronounce overt (audio) ˈō-(ˌ)vərt How to pronounce overt (audio)
: open to view : not secret
overt hostility
overtly adverb
overtness noun

Medical Definition

overt

adjective
ō-ˈvərt, ˈō-ˌvərt also ˈō-vərt
: open to view : readily perceived
overt behavior
overtly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on overt

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overt

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