overshoot

verb

over·​shoot ˌō-vər-ˈshüt 

overshot ˌō-vər-ˈshät  ; overshooting

transitive verb

1

: to pass swiftly beyond

2

: to shoot or pass over or beyond so as to miss

overshoot

ˈō-vər-ˌshüt 

noun

Synonyms

• break
• exceed
• outreach
• outrun
• overpass
• overreach
• overrun
• overstep
• surpass
• transcend

Examples of overshoot in a Sentence

The plane overshot the runway.

Sometimes we overshoot our time limits.

Recent Examples on the Web

Levis overshot Calvin Ridley when Ridley had Tyrique Stevenson beat down the sideline. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2024

The question is whether the slowdown in the economy’s growth will overshoot and become a recession. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024

During one-on-one drills, Bateman easily beat cornerback Brandon Stephens with a fake to the inside before breaking back outside, though Jackson overshot him. —Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2024

The two reports can differ substantially, with ADP overshooting the BLS estimate of 136,000 for private payrolls in June. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 31 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overshoot

verb

over·​shoot ˌō-vər-ˈshüt 

overshot -ˈshät  ; overshooting

1

: to miss by going beyond

the plane overshot the runway

2

: to shoot over or beyond

overshot the target

Medical Definition

overshoot

noun

over·​shoot ˈō-vər-ˌshüt 

: a rapid change in electrical potential and reversal of polarity that occurs during an action potential when a cell or tissue is stimulated