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
  • 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
  • People who had already turned 55 when the law was enacted also were given until August 2021 to file lawsuits, no matter when the alleged abuse occurred.
    — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • In the same era, Democrats in Congress enacted a raft of social programs that would become part of the language, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
    — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 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
  • Claude is destined to imitate these human traits and mirror the human examples provided to it, including acting like a colleague or friend.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • These are commonly used in things like model aircraft to imitate jet engines.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 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
  • Fusion energy has long promised virtually limitless, low-carbon power by mimicking the physical reactions that fuel the Sun.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Batlló, Antoni Gaudí masterpiece whose roof arch mimics a dragon’s back].
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overact. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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