overthink

verb

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over·think | \ ˌō-vər-ˈthiŋk

overthought\ ˌō-vər-ˈthȯt

\; overthinking

Definition of overthink

transitive + intransitive

: to think too much about (something) : to put too much time into thinking about or analyzing (something) in a way that is more harmful than helpful overthink a situation/problem someone who overthinks and worries too much "I was a terrible actor when I went to New York. I was scared. I would overprepare, sometimes overthink a role."— Paul Newman For a while now, I've been finding current fiction hard to read: airlessly competent, relentlessly put-together, overthought.— David Gates

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Other Words from overthink More Example Sentences Learn More About overthink

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Other Words from overthink

overthinker noun, plural overthinkers

But the problem is I'm an overthinker. I contemplate and consider, deliberate and debate things small and large in my life. Simple things become complicated and easy decisions become complex. — Alyssa Meier

Examples of overthink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web People might tend to get confused, or maybe overthink the right order in which to watch these movies; when the chronological order is all jumbled, that's pretty natural. — Evan Romano, Men's Health, 4 May 2022 Maybe the Jacksonville Jaguars overthink it and pass on Aidan Hutchinson on Thursday in the first round in the NFL draft. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2022 The son of Mexican television producer Carla Estrada, the director has tried to not overthink his first Oscar nomination, a monumental achievement that once seemed far-fetched. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2022 Attorney General Janet Reno’s refusal to allow a Florida family court to decide the case was legally perverse and typical of her tendency to overthink simple problems. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2022 Don’t overthink it, but paying attention to those things on the back is super important instead of just throwing your seeds in. — Kristin Scharkey, Sunset Magazine, 30 Mar. 2022 Don’t overthink, stop feeling sorry, stop feeling vulnerable. — Heran Mamo, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2022 Auriemma had been urging Fudd, a perfectionist, not to overthink and let her natural ability flow. — Dom Amore, courant.com, 2 Mar. 2022 As far as the team’s success, Naylon said the group didn’t overthink its boat design. — John Benson, cleveland, 7 Mar. 2022 See More

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

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