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overactive
adjective
over·ac·tive
ˌō-vər-ˈak-tiv
: excessively or abnormally active
overactive glands
an overactive imagination
Synonyms
Examples of overactive in a Sentence
She has an overactive bladder.
His crazy ideas are products of an overactive imagination.
Recent Examples on the Web
This overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth.
—Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 20 Nov. 2024
The effect was the same as that of an overactive group chat, if it were populated by pop stars instead of friends.
—Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by overactive T and B immune cells.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 10 July 2024
An overactive thyroid can speed up heart rate and cause irregular heart rhythms.
—Alexandria Nyembwe, Phd, Rn, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1647, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near overactive
Cite this Entry
“Overactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overactive. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
overactive
adjective
over·ac·tive
ˌō-və-ˈrak-tiv
: very active and especially abnormally so
an overactive thyroid
Medical Definition
overactive
adjective
over·ac·tive
ˌō-və-ˈrak-tiv
: excessively or abnormally active
an overactive mind
overactive glands
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