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

KeyBanc is the latest to argue UnitedHealth shares overshot to the downside, but still took its price target down $50 to $400. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 June 2025

In college, Maye had a tendency to overshoot downfield receivers, and threw behind a few receivers running intermediate crossing routes so far in OTAs. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025

In November 2018, a cargo plane also overshot the runway and crashed into a similar antenna mount in Halifax, Canada. —Grace Moon, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Or, it was supposed to go to his brother — but Jason overshot it, and a fan caught the ball instead. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overshoot

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

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