overreach

verb

over·​reach ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 

ˌō-və-

overreached; overreaching; overreaches

transitive verb

1

: to reach above or beyond : overtop

2

: to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much

3

: to get the better of especially in dealing and bargaining and typically by unscrupulous or crafty methods

intransitive verb

1

of a horse : to strike the forefoot with the front part of the hind foot

2

a

: to go to excess

b

: exaggerate

3

: to overreach oneself

overreach

ˈō-vər-ˌrēch 

ˈō-və-, 

ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 

ˌō-və-

noun

overreacher

ˈō-vər-ˌrē-chər 

ˈō-və-, 

ˌō-vər-ˈrē-chər, 

ˌō-və-

noun

Synonyms of overreach

• defeat
• thwart
• deceive
• overcome
• outmaneuver
• outsmart
• fool
• outwit
• fox

Examples of overreach in a Sentence

She overreaches in her latest book, and her argument is not convincing.

The company overreached itself and ran out of money after one year.

Recent Examples on the Web

While most judges have categorized such requests as overreaching or for an improper purpose, two out of three judges on the panel ruled that there was nothing out of line about the QueerDoc request. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026

Republican lawmakers disagree, saying that the approval is just another example of an overreaching government. — Tom Wait, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

His overreaching executive authority and voter suppression attempts amount to subversive governance. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

This should be a welcome sign for every broadcaster who has felt the weight of this overreaching government pressure in silence. — Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for overreach

• microfiche
• taoiseach
• beach
• beech
• bleach
• breach
• breech
• each
• keech
• leach
• leech
• meech

Kids Definition

overreach

verb

over·​reach -ˈrēch 

1

: to reach above or beyond : overtop

2

: to defeat (oneself) by trying to do or gain too much

3

: outwit, trick

4

: to reach or go too far

overreacher noun

Medical Definition

overreach

intransitive verb

over·​reach -ˈrēch 

of a horse

: to strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or quarter of the forefoot

Legal Definition

overreach

transitive verb

over·​reach ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 

: to make (someone or something) the subject of overreaching

this uncounseled defendant was…overreached by the prosecution's submission of misinformation to the court

—Townsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736 (1948)

must determine whether it overreached privilege

—National Law Journal