overwrought

Overwrought is an adjective used to describe something that is excessively worked up, emotionally agitated, or elaborately developed to a point of strain. It often implies excess, tension, or melodrama in tone, style, or mood, whether in prose, drama, or art. The term frequently carries a critical nuance.

Etymology: The word combines over- with wrought, the past participle of work or forge. From Middle English, overwrought originally described something that had been wrought or worked upon beyond a natural limit; over time, it came to signal excess in emotion or ornamentation.

Usage: In modern English, overwrought can describe scenes, passages, or characters that seem over-elaborate or overwhelmed with sentiment. It can refer to a person who is overly anxious or excitable. Although often negative, it can be descriptive when the emphasis is on intensity or excess rather than on quality. Related terms include overelaborate, melodramatic, and sentimentality.