Advertisement
Advertisement
overreach
[oh-ver-reech]
verb (used with object)
to reach or extend over or beyond.
The shelf overreached the nook and had to be planed down.
to go beyond, as a thing aimed at or sought.
an arrow that had overreached the target.
to stretch to excess, as by a straining effort.
to overreach one's arm and strain a muscle.
to defeat (oneself ) by overdoing matters, often by excessive eagerness or cunning.
In trying to promote disunity he had overreached himself.
to strain or exert (oneself or itself ) to the point of exceeding the purpose.
to get the better of, especially by deceit or trickery; outwit.
Every time you deal with them you wonder if they're overreaching you.
to overtake.
Obsolete.to overpower.
verb (used without object)
to reach or extend over something.
to reach too far.
In grabbing for the rope he overreached and fell.
to cheat others.
(of a running or walking horse) to strike, or strike and injure, the forefoot with the hind foot.
Nautical.to sail on a tack longer than is desirable or was intended; overstand.
overreach
/ ˌəʊəˈːʃ /
verb
(tr) to defeat or thwart (oneself) by attempting to do or gain too much
(tr) to aim for but miss by going too far or attempting too much
to get the better of (a person) by trickery
(tr) to reach or extend beyond or over
(intr) to reach or go too far
(intr) (of a horse) to strike the back of a forefoot with the edge of the opposite hind foot
Other Word Forms
- overreacher noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of overreach1
Example Sentences
“But his overreach, his interference in the operations of universities ... endangers the higher education enterprise of America.”
Already the administration's overreach is creating a backlash:
Call it the Trump effect, bringing communities together through grotesque and oppressive federal overreach, very much disturbing the peace.
As the strike dissipated, each side tried to take the high ground of intention and behavior: The crisis was lawlessness or it was unwarranted government overreach.
“Keep protesting because Donald Trump would love for everybody to sit back quietly while he continues to overreach, to bring cruelty to every corner of America and violate the law,” he said.
Advertisement
Related Words
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse