over·com·pen·sa·tion
ˌō-vər-ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən 
-ˌpen-
: excessive compensation
specifically
: excessive reaction to a feeling of inferiority, guilt, or inadequacy leading to an exaggerated attempt to overcome the feeling
: to compensate inordinately or to excess
overcompensated the popular teacher and ignored the specialist—
H. M. Jones
H. M. Jones
: to exhibit overcompensation : overcome through overt behavior a feeling of inferiority
may overcompensate through disastrous adventures—Jack Weinberg
Jack WeinbergExamples of overcompensation in a Sentence
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Ginger Gentile, Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Reluctance to take credit for successes, chronic self-doubt and overcompensation through perfectionism.
—Tanya Arturi, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Aaron’s overcompensation clearly stems from a struggle with his sexuality.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2024
This can lead to muscle imbalances or overcompensation.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 17 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overcompensation
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Noun
When burnout finally breaks through the façade, the imposter is exposed, creating a dangerous loop of overcompensation, self-doubt, and deeper exhaustion.
—Ginger Gentile, Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Reluctance to take credit for successes, chronic self-doubt and overcompensation through perfectionism.
—Tanya Arturi, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Aaron’s overcompensation clearly stems from a struggle with his sexuality.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2024
This can lead to muscle imbalances or overcompensation.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 17 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overcompensation
Cite this Entry
“Overcompensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcompensation. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
overcompensation
noun
over·com·pen·sa·tion
-ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən, -ˌpen-
: excessive compensation
specifically
: excessive reaction to a feeling of inferiority, guilt, or inadequacy leading to an exaggerated attempt to overcome the feeling
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