overthink

verb

over·​think ˌō-vər-ˈthiŋk 

overthought ˌō-vər-ˈthȯt  ; overthinking

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

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

Just don't overthink it — water when your plant looks thirsty, and ease off when the soil feels too moist. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Don’t worry about being palatable, or overthink the wins and losses. —Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 4 June 2025

Follow your intuition and have the self-confidence not to overthink your contributions so others can leverage their strengths and play their roles. —George Bradt, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

However, his bigger concern is that people overthink sleep and struggle with it. —Elise Devlin, New York Times, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overthink

• bobolink
• countersink
• bethink
• downlink
• groupthink
• hoodwink
• rethink
• uplink
• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque