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
Laurence H. Tribe… was reckless in its assignment of unnecessary and overbroad surveillance powers.—The New York Times
The New York TimesBut he tends, at times, to draw overbroad generalizations from his personal experience.—Alexander Stille
Alexander StilleExamples of overbroad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Every court that considered a university speech code between 1989 and 1995 reached the same conclusion: The rules were vague, overbroad or discriminated against speakers because of their points of view and were thus unconstitutional.
—Charles Homans Gabra Zackman Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 29 May 2024
These might include overbroad nondisclosure agreements, training repayment provisions, and nonsolicitation clauses.
—Harris Meyer, Fortune, 27 May 2024
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
Charles Homans Gabra Zackman Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 29 May 2024
These might include overbroad nondisclosure agreements, training repayment provisions, and nonsolicitation clauses.
—Harris Meyer, Fortune, 27 May 2024
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overbroad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Overbroad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overbroad. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
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