overbroad

adjective

over·​broad ˌō-vər-ˈbrȯd 

: too widely applicable or applied : excessively broad

an overbroad interpretation of the statute

… a litigant challenging an overbroad law …

—Laurence H. Tribe

… was reckless in its assignment of unnecessary and overbroad surveillance powers.

—The New York Times

But he tends, at times, to draw overbroad generalizations from his personal experience.

—Alexander Stille

Examples of overbroad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The litigation argues that Ohio’s law — which requires social media companies to obtain a parent’s permission for children under 16 to sign up for social media and gaming apps — unconstitutionally impedes free speech and is overbroad and vague. —Julie Carr Smyth, Twin Cities, 5 Jan. 2024

Despite its overbroad dicta, the logic of Dobbs militates toward recognition of the unborn child’s constitutional personhood. —Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023

Judge Presnell’s injunction rested on a doctrine peculiar to First Amendment cases, one that allows judges to strike down overbroad laws because of their chilling effect on others’ speech. —Adam Liptak, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023

The judge said the law violates free speech rights and is overbroad and vague. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2023

Met Police Deputy Commissioner Lynne Owens has warned against an overbroad interpretation of support for Hamas. —Beatriz Ríos, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023

In a ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Ezra agreed with claims that House Bill 1181, which was signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in June, violates free speech rights and is overbroad and vague. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2023

Rather, it is written to shut parents down by creating a new overbroad and vague criminal law that puts fear in their minds. —Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023

But a federal appeals court ruled that the law on encouragement is overbroad and violates the free speech clause of the First Amendment and overturned just those convictions. —Jessica Gresko, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

overbroad

adjective

over·​broad

ˌō-vər-ˈbrȯd

: not sufficiently restricted to a specific subject or purpose

an overbroad search

especially : characterized by a prohibition or chilling effect on constitutionally protected conduct

an overbroad statute

compare vague