overthink

verb

over·​think ˌō-vər-ˈthiŋk 

overthought ˌō-vər-ˈthȯt  ; overthinking

transitive + intransitive

: to think too much about (something) : to put too much time into thinking about or analyzing (something) in a way that is more harmful than helpful

overthink a situation/problem

someone who overthinks and worries too much

"I was a terrible actor when I went to New York. I was scared. I would overprepare, sometimes overthink a role."

—Paul Newman

For a while now, I've been finding current fiction hard to read: airlessly competent, relentlessly put-together, overthought.

—David Gates

overthinker noun

plural overthinkers

But the problem is I'm an overthinker. I contemplate and consider, deliberate and debate things small and large in my life. Simple things become complicated and easy decisions become complex.

—Alyssa Meier

Examples of overthink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Take a minute to ground your energy; there is no need to overthink your restlessness. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024

Bukowski’s message, it’s surmised, was to not overthink things or strive to overachieve, but let life happen. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above