overcorrect

verb

over·​cor·​rect ˌō-vər-kə-ˈrekt 

overcorrected; overcorrecting

intransitive verb

: to make too much of a correction : to adjust too much in attempting to offset an error, miscalculation, or problem

If the soup tastes bland, don't overcorrect by adding too much salt.

The driver of the Acura then overcorrected to the right, and as he came near the shoulder, his car was struck by a Toyota sport utility vehicle …

—The Houston Chronicle

Your first instinct will be to overcorrect every time your drone is headed somewhere you don't want it to go.

—Scott Gilbertson

overcorrection

ˌō-vər-kə-ˈrek-shən 

noun

plural overcorrections

Meant to hold 150 passengers, the Christina took on 250. Listing from the start, an overcorrection in steering capsized the boat.

—Russell Fielding et al.

Examples of overcorrect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most leaders cut costs, panic, blame external factors and overcorrect. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

But in some cases of severe infection, the immune system can overcorrect and send out an excess amount of these proteins, a serious and potentially fatal reaction called a cytokine storm. — Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Overcorrecting Low Blood Sugar Before Bed If your blood sugar drops too low just before bedtime, don't overcorrect with a lot of simple carbs. — Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026

Do not overcorrect what already works. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overcorrect

• aftereffect
• interconnect
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct

Medical Definition

overcorrect

transitive verb

over·​cor·​rect -kə-ˈrekt 

: to apply a correction to in excess of that required (as for satisfactory performance)

specifically : to correct (a lens) beyond the point of achromatism or so that there is aberration of a kind opposite to that of the uncorrected lens

overcorrection

-kə-ˈrek-shən 

noun