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

No need to overthink it—a minimalist pair of sandals and your favorite handbag will do the trick, and let your confidence take over. —India Roby, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026

But my advice is not to overthink it. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

And if Team Italy is mostly Team Italian-American — well, don’t overthink it. —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

Egor Dëmin’s rookie season ended Monday, and the Nets didn’t overthink it. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026

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