overcompensation

over·com·pen·sa·tion

noun \-ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən, -ˌpen-\

Definition of OVERCOMPENSATION

: excessive compensation; specifically : excessive reaction to a feeling of inferiority, guilt, or inadequacy leading to an exaggerated attempt to overcome the feeling

—over·com·pen·sate \-ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt\ verb, over·com·pen·sat·ed over·com·pen·sat·ing

—over·com·pen·sa·to·ry \-kəm-ˈpen(t)-sə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-\ adjective