overthink
verb
over·think
ˌō-vər-ˈthiŋk 
overthought
ˌō-vər-ˈthȯt
; overthinking
; overthinking
: 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
Paul NewmanFor a while now, I've been finding current fiction hard to read: airlessly competent, relentlessly put-together, overthought.—David Gates
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
Alyssa Meier
Examples of overthink in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
As the starlet celebrated the milestone birthday of 30 last year, the biggest lesson she’s learned and implemented is not to overthink.
—Kenneth J. Williams Jr., Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
As Mars and Chiron harmonize, don’t overthink words or deeds.
—USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024
To really light their fire (and yours), don’t overthink it.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024
As soon as the music began blaring from a small speaker, our disheveled instructor gave us little time to overthink what came next.
—Kiersten Marie Brown, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Dec. 2023
Ravens coach John Harbaugh is smart enough to lean into what his team does well, rather than overthink things.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
My doctor remained calm and told me not to overthink it.
—Jeremy Helligar, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Don’t overthink it In our era of Bachelor-style and Instagram proposals, the pressure to make a grand gesture can be overwhelming.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024
As the starlet celebrated the milestone birthday of 30 last year, the biggest lesson she’s learned and implemented is not to overthink.
—Kenneth J. Williams Jr., Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
As Mars and Chiron harmonize, don’t overthink words or deeds.
—USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024
To really light their fire (and yours), don’t overthink it.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024
As soon as the music began blaring from a small speaker, our disheveled instructor gave us little time to overthink what came next.
—Kiersten Marie Brown, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Dec. 2023
Ravens coach John Harbaugh is smart enough to lean into what his team does well, rather than overthink things.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
My doctor remained calm and told me not to overthink it.
—Jeremy Helligar, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Don’t overthink it In our era of Bachelor-style and Instagram proposals, the pressure to make a grand gesture can be overwhelming.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overthink.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1628, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near overthink
Cite this Entry
“Overthink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overthink. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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