overshoot

verb

over·​shoot ˌō-vər-ˈshüt 

overshot ˌō-vər-ˈshät  ; overshooting

transitive verb

1

: to pass swiftly beyond

2

: to shoot or pass over or beyond so as to miss

overshoot

ˈō-vər-ˌshüt 

noun

Synonyms of overshoot

• exceed
• surpass

Examples of overshoot in a Sentence

The plane overshot the runway.

Sometimes we overshoot our time limits.

Recent Examples on the Web

DeVito completed his last 11 passes after barely overshooting Boutte in the end zone with his opening throw, and watched his second pass glance off of Efton Chism III. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026

Swift recoveries also tend to overshoot. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 June 2026

But the team failed to advance to the second round after its rocket overshot the target height of 730 feet, reaching a peak of 830 feet, according to Del Norte team Vice President Hithin Pulamarasetty, who was among the four members who went to the National Finals. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026

Both days had overshot an earlier record in 2024. —Rajesh Kumar Singh, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overshoot

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

Kids Definition

overshoot

verb

over·​shoot ˌō-vər-ˈshüt 

overshot -ˈshät  ; overshooting

1

: to miss by going beyond

the plane overshot the runway

2

: to shoot over or beyond

overshot the target

Medical Definition

overshoot

noun

over·​shoot ˈō-vər-ˌshüt 

: a rapid change in electrical potential and reversal of polarity that occurs during an action potential when a cell or tissue is stimulated