overreach

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

Definition of overreach

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
2a : to go to excess
3 : to overreach oneself

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Other Words from overreach

overreach \ ˈō-​vər-​ˌrēch How to pronounce overreach (audio) , ˈō-​və-​ , ˌō-​vər-​ˈrēch , ˌō-​və-​ \ noun
overreacher \ ˈō-​vər-​ˌrē-​chər How to pronounce overreacher (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

Across the country, gang databases are coming under scrutiny by justice reform advocates who say the lists exemplify police overreach that can lead to civil rights violations. NBC News, "He's a gang intervention worker. But California police call him a gang member.," 18 Aug. 2019 The complaint argued that the city overreached in its regulatory power by including businesses that are headquartered outside Dallas but have employees who work within the city limits. Hayat Norimine, Dallas News, "Dallas city attorney responds to paid sick leave lawsuit, wants new judge in case," 14 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overreach.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of overreach

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

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More Definitions for overreach

overreach

verb

English Language Learners Definition of overreach

: to try to do something that is beyond your ability to do

overreach

intransitive verb
over·​reach | \ -ˈrēch How to pronounce overreach (audio) \

Medical Definition of overreach

of a horse
: to strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or quarter of the forefoot

overreach

transitive verb
over·​reach | \ ˌō-vər-ˈrēch How to pronounce overreach (audio) \

Legal Definition of overreach

: 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
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