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
  • Hollywood depictions tend to severely underplay the intensity of alcoholic consumption in that era.
    — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026
  • On the other hand, its artistic approach and wider story arc underplay the horror of WW1 combat.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • One silver lining for Republicans is if Democrats overplay their election mandate with oversight investigations and progressive policies in ways that turn away the very voters who awarded them sizeable majorities.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 10 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Democrats should focus on enacting their legislative agenda when the new Congress convenes in January following the party’s decisive victories in this week’s midterm elections.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Au Kam San, a Macao pro-democracy former lawmaker, was sentenced to 12½ years in prison after a closed-door trial that raised concerns about fairness in the Chinese casino hub's first national security case since the law was enacted in 2009.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Jenn asks Ryan if Dominic acting out at school has anything to do with her divorce.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • This is vital, as sleepers might otherwise act out their dreams and harm themselves or others.
    — RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Watch for misspelled domains or websites that imitate official government branding.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The emulator is a piece of software that imitates a Game Boy.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 11 Nov. 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
  • Cooke does his best to dramatize these origins, often through dry humor, but the personalities involved don’t quite rise to the level of an Aaron Sorkin drama.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • When the third act slows down to dramatize the hours of Altman’s ouster from OpenAI, Guadagnino has almost no way of generating the sort of ice-blooded intrigue that runs in Fincher’s veins.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Air Jordan 4 Retro OG Bred will be reissued this month in a remastered form, which Nike says aims to mimic the shape, fit and feel of the sneaker’s original iteration.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Some products were sold in packaging that mimicked common candy or snacks — adding to concerns from officials, including Pritzker.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overact. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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