overreach

verb

over·​reach ˌō-vər-ˈrēch How to pronounce overreach (audio)
ˌō-və-
overreached; overreaching; overreaches

transitive verb

1
: to reach above or beyond : overtop
2
: to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much
3
: to get the better of especially in dealing and bargaining and typically by unscrupulous or crafty methods

intransitive verb

1
of a horse : to strike the forefoot with the front part of the hind foot
2
a
: to go to excess
3
: to overreach oneself
overreach noun
overreacher
ˈō-vər-ˌrē-chər How to pronounce overreach (audio)
ˈō-və-
ˌō-vər-ˈrē-chər
ˌō-və-
noun

Examples of overreach in a Sentence

She overreaches in her latest book, and her argument is not convincing. The company overreached itself and ran out of money after one year.
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.
Peanut’s seizure and execution have been taken as a symbol of government overreach with the official Twitter account of the GOP House Judiciary Committee calling for justice. Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024 Industry groups joined a coalition of 23 Republican attorneys generals in arguing the Environmental Protection Agency overreached when imposing new rules this year to address one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024 Prosecutors with the Southern District of New York opposed Combs’ motion, claiming not only was the request broad and overreaching, but would potentially silence accusers who were not part of the criminal case. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024 Zoom out: Cheekwood argued that the volunteer organizers had not managed funds properly while the volunteers said the botanical garden was overreaching into the planning and finances of their event. Adam Tamburin, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overreach 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near overreach

Cite this Entry

“Overreach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overreach. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

overreach

verb
over·​reach -ˈrēch How to pronounce overreach (audio)
1
: to reach above or beyond : overtop
2
: to defeat (oneself) by trying to do or gain too much
3
4
: to reach or go too far
overreacher noun

Medical Definition

overreach

intransitive verb
over·​reach -ˈrēch How to pronounce overreach (audio)
of a horse
: to strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or quarter of the forefoot

Legal Definition

overreach

transitive verb
over·​reach ˌō-vər-ˈrēch How to pronounce overreach (audio)
: to make (someone or something) the subject of overreaching
this uncounseled defendant was…overreached by the prosecution's submission of misinformation to the courtTownsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736 (1948)
must determine whether it overreached privilegeNational Law Journal

More from Merriam-Webster on overreach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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