overblown

¹ American  

[oh-ver-blohn] / ˈoʊ vərˈbloʊn /

adjective

1. overdone or excessive.

   overblown praise.

2. of unusually large size or proportions.

   a majestic, overblown figure.

3. overinflated; turgid; bombastic; pretentious.

   overblown prose.

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verb

1. past participle of overblow.

overblown ² American  

[oh-ver-blohn] / ˈoʊ vərˈbloʊn /

adjective

1. (of a flower) past the stage of full bloom; more than full-blown.

   an overblown rose.

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overblown British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈbləʊn /

adjective

1. overdone or excessive

2. bombastic; turgid

   overblown prose

3. (of flowers, such as the rose) past the stage of full bloom

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Etymology

Origin of overblown¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; over- + blown ¹

Origin of overblown²

First recorded in 1610–20; over- + blown ²

Example Sentences

Banks say the yield payments could drain deposits, while crypto firms say the threat is overblown and that banks just don’t want the competition.

From Barron's

Many private-credit fund managers say they believe that fears about software loans are overblown and that they feel good about the quality of their portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’ll admit it: I think our collective weeknight blender hatred is a bit overblown.

From Salon

Fink also rejects suggestions that the surge in investment in AI, which has seen billions of dollars invested in the new technology, has been overblown.

From BBC

Amazon’s plan for $200 billion in capital expenditures this year has spooked some investors, but Thill said he believes those concerns are “overblown,” arguing that the spending is tightly linked to visible customer demand.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• disproportionate
• inflated
• pretentious
• superfluous