overstep

verb

over·​step ˌō-vər-ˈstep 

overstepped; overstepping; oversteps

transitive verb

: exceed, transgress

Synonyms of overstep

• exceed
• surpass

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 Associated Press analyzed the video, which was part of a lawsuit filed Thursday that accuses authorities of overstepping their search warrants. — Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Catherine Bernard, an attorney for the Georgia Republican Assembly, said the group did nothing wrong and the commission overstepped its authority. — David Wickert, AJC.com, 9 Sep. 2026

But instead of appearing, Black filed a lawsuit against the committee and its Republican chairman, accusing them of overstepping their authority. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026

An attorney for the campaign on Wednesday said Hoskins overstepped his authority and cast the move as unprecedented. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing overstep

• overstep the bounds/limits
• overstep the mark/line

Rhymes for overstep

• multistep
• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep

Kids Definition

overstep

verb

over·​step -ˈstep 

: to step over or beyond : exceed

overstepped their authority