overreach

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈrēch How to pronounce overreach (audio)
Definition of overreachnext
1
as in to defeat
to get the better of through cleverness a real estate developer who is always trying to overreach his competitors, fair means or foul

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to exceed
to go beyond the limit of the mountain climbers overreached their abilities and paid for it dearly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of overreach Armstrong claimed Coinbase was not in violation of any law, and the SEC overreached in its effort to rein in its efforts. — David Goldman, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025 Even amid the new strategic circumstances, there will be limits on Iran’s concessions, and Trump could easily overreach—or even pursue regime change in Tehran. — Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2025 Nvidia fears 'overreach' Because the rules alter the landscape for AI chips and data centers around the world, powerful industry voices criticized the plan even before it was published. — Karen Freifeld, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025 Recommended The Monitor's View Flipping the script on Trump’s deportations In response, the administration pushed back with claims that the court is overreaching. — Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overreach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overreach
  1. defeat
  2. exceed
  3. thwart
  4. surpass
  5. deceive
  6. overcome
  7. outsmart
  8. fool
Verb
  • The Houston Rockets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 144-137, in a thrilling overtime contest Monday that was arguably one of the more confusing, exciting games of the season.
    — Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Abraham gathered enough support to defeat the amendments, which would have imposed significant new labor requirements on employers.
    — Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • According to the study, amounts of metals found in the cookies often exceeded limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for drinking water.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Currently being adapted into an animation series slated for summer release, pre-registrations on Tencent Video for the series have already exceeded 830,000.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of exceed
Verb
  • Bolden had played a key role in thwarting an assassination plot in Chicago months before JFK was tragically assassinated in Dallas.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Extradition of the pair is the latest in federal efforts to thwart smuggling on the high seas.
    — Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of thwart
Verb
  • Canada has also seen the Liberal Party surge rapidly in recent polls, either tying or surpassing the previously dominant Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The animated epic has become the first Chinese film to surpass $2 billion at the box office, marking a historic milestone.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of surpass
Verb
  • But appearances can be deceiving because there's a lot of bright side here.
    — Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Trips down memory lane, especially when Star Wars video games are involved, can be deceiving.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • The plethora of pixels can’t overcome a noise-prone sensor, though, and its picture tends to be soft.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Professionals can take control of their careers by overcoming these challenges and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • The plot might seem repetitive, going back and forth between Violet trying to follow the anonymous rules and worming her way out of them to seek help (only to be outsmarted), but the movie’s exciting, stage-like formal flourishes and its disorienting lensing keep things moving smoothly.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Whether or not the owner can outsmart her snack-savvy puppy remains to be shared on their profile.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of outsmart
Verb
  • This pair looks like a classic trouser, with front pleats and a relaxed leg — but don’t be fooled.
    — Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Do not be fooled by this bill’s carve-out for masks worn for health and religious reasons.
    — Nikki Morse, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of fool

Browse Nearby Words

overreach
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overreach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overreach. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All