overstep

verb

over·step | \ ˌō-vər-ˈstep

overstepped; overstepping; oversteps

Definition of overstep

transitive verb

: exceed, transgress

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about overstep

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Examples of overstep in a Sentence

the principal overstepped her authority in ordering everyone to remain in the unheated school

Recent Examples on the Web

The decision caused heartburn in the district's well-off seaside communities, which had been pretty clearly divided between the two candidates already, and led to new accusations that the national party was overstepping its bounds. — Dan Merica, CNN, "Crisis averted: How the Democrats avoided disaster in California," 6 June 2018 Manafort's attorneys had argued that Mueller overstepped because the charges Manafort faces in Virginia — bank fraud and failure to file tax returns related to his business dealings — have nothing to do with election meddling. — NBC News, "Judge praised by Trump refuses to dismiss indictment against Manafort," 26 June 2018 The majority rejected arguments that Trump overstepped his presidential authority and that his targeting of Muslim-majority countries violated the Constitution’s ban on religious discrimination. — David G. Savage, latimes.com, "Supreme Court upholds Trump's travel ban, bolstering president's power to block new arrivals," 26 June 2018 Manafort has alleged in court that Mueller's office overstepped its authority by charging him with crimes related to his work before the 2016 campaign. — Katelyn Polantz, CNN, "Mueller team says it has not gone rogue," 19 Apr. 2018 The latest spat comes just a week after Iohannis said Dancila had overstepped the mark in saying Bucharest was ready to follow the U.S. and move the country's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. — Fox News, "Romanian president blasts PM's "secret" Israel trip," 26 Apr. 2018 The court and the confirmation process have become so politicized precisely because the court has overstepped its proper bounds to assume authority over many important and controversial areas of national life best left to the democratic process. — Jack Goldsmith, Time, "Brett Kavanaugh Will Right the Course of the Supreme Court," 12 July 2018 He was criticized by German politicians for overstepping diplomatic boundaries by his remarks endorsing conservative politics. — Diane Bell, sandiegouniontribune.com, "U.S. ambassador criticized by Germans as not so diplomatic," 4 June 2018 Trump officials said that the Obama administration overstepped its authority by going beyond what the Supreme Court has said in affirmative-action cases. — Nick Anderson, Washington Post, "Trump administration moves to rescind Obama-era guidance on race in admissions," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overstep.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.