overreach

verb

over·​reach ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 

ˌō-və-

overreached; overreaching; overreaches

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

2

a

: to go to excess

b

: exaggerate

3

: to overreach oneself

overreach

ˈō-vər-ˌrēch 

ˈō-və-, 

ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 

ˌō-və-

noun

overreacher

ˈō-vər-ˌrē-chər 

ˈō-və-, 

ˌō-vər-ˈrē-chər, 

ˌō-və-

noun

Synonyms of overreach

• defeat
• thwart
• deceive
• overcome
• outmaneuver
• outsmart
• fool
• outwit
• fox

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

Some Democrats worried about overreach But the investigative onslaught is also a source of tension for Democrats, with many warning that delivering on their central promise to voters — actions to lower the cost of living — must take precedence. — Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026

There is hope for 2027, but Democrats must focus on lowering healthcare, food, gas and housing costs; lowering interest rates; ending the war in Iran; restoring goodwill with our allies and not succumbing to overreach from the far left. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026

The Vietnam War validated Morgenthau’s belief that power untethered from questions of morality would lead to overreach. — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026

Americans have all seen in other conflicts how quickly military objectives can overreach, collide with political realities and produce unintended consequences. — Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for overreach

• microfiche
• taoiseach
• beach
• beech
• bleach
• breach
• breech
• each
• keech
• leach
• leech
• meech

Kids Definition

overreach

verb

over·​reach -ˈrēch 

1

: to reach above or beyond : overtop

2

: to defeat (oneself) by trying to do or gain too much

3

: outwit, trick

4

: to reach or go too far

overreacher noun

Medical Definition

overreach

intransitive verb

over·​reach -ˈrēch 

of a horse

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

Legal Definition

overreach

transitive verb

over·​reach ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 

: to make (someone or something) the subject of overreaching

this uncounseled defendant was…overreached by the prosecution's submission of misinformation to the court

—Townsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736 (1948)

must determine whether it overreached privilege

—National Law Journal