overact

Definition of overactnext

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overact Snook and Lacy, who display such sharp instincts in their best work, seem to have been directed to overact; cameras freeze on their exaggeratedly bewildered or angry or devastated expressions, putting exclamation points at the end of too many scenes. — Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2025 His presence is fresh, empathetic, often hypnotic, and never overacted. — Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025 One could easily be accused of overacting, of doing too much. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025 The college student performers from the Hartt School aren’t encouraged to overact during the party scene anymore — no more drunk jokes or pratfalls. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for overact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overact
Verb
  • On the other hand, its artistic approach and wider story arc underplay the horror of WW1 combat.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • In a lot of ways, Abrams’ underplay show at the storied club, billed as a free evening with the star, was more than just a celebration of her new album Daughter From Hell or practice for her upcoming tour.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • Still, privately, government officials and business leaders told Semafor that South Africa would not overplay its hand by making any attempt to withhold access to these metals; PGMs make up more than a third of its exports to the US.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The brothers pepper in POV shots of the climbers to literally put the audience in their shoes, but don’t overplay their hand, maintaining palpable reality even when the challenges mount to comical levels.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Difficult or disruptive events can create opportunities to enact changes or policies that would be hard to implement during normal times.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Since then, California has enacted several additional AI laws.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Those include the harrowing night terrors Tony begins to experience — intense, frightening nightmares that cause people with Parkinson’s to violently act out in their sleep.
    — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The better to act out empire’s idea of what disgusting demonic sickness looks like.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Rather than taking advantage of genuine quantum effects, Scholes proposes, life might be imitating them instead.
    — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This succinct statement follows outpourings of both support and criticism of Sims, including additional allegations that YISE has imitated other beauty brands—the very thing Sims was lamenting.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Today, Margaret would be playacting her own massacre in active shooter drills at school.
    — Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 1 May 2023
  • Trump’s modus, as ever, was to playact; his game has always been improv.
    — Joe Klein, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023
Verb
  • At any rate, Greengrass finally decided to dramatize the Peasants’ Revolt on the second day of the 2020 pandemic lockdown.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Nevertheless, the filmmakers have found an affecting way to dramatize the official line that Oasis are the biggest band in the world.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers want to gain a better understanding of when and how classical systems can mimic quantum math.
    — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Along with the sneaker appearing scuffed and slashed as if it’s been tangling with Ghostface, the tongue’s Nike branding mimics the font of the film’s logo.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overact. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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