as in heated
being in a state of increased activity or agitation
the boy manages to panic himself by his own overactive imagination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 overactive
View gallery - 3 images A novel drug, evenamide, quieted overactive brain circuits in an animal model of schizophrenia, improving memory, social interaction, and dopamine balance, offering hope for tackling symptoms that current antipsychotics can’t touch.
—
New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2025
Such individuals may be socially awkward, struggle with emotional regulation, and have an overactive fantasy life, Girgis says.
—Robert Hart, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
Things could go bad here, too, my overactive imagination warns: engine flameout, pilot error.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2025
Not to mention, these powerful SCFAs can also spur gut cells to pump out serotonin and activate your parasympathetic (a.k.a. rest and digest) nervous system, which may calm down an overactive stress response.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overactive
New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2025
Such individuals may be socially awkward, struggle with emotional regulation, and have an overactive fantasy life, Girgis says.
—Robert Hart, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
Things could go bad here, too, my overactive imagination warns: engine flameout, pilot error.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2025
Not to mention, these powerful SCFAs can also spur gut cells to pump out serotonin and activate your parasympathetic (a.k.a. rest and digest) nervous system, which may calm down an overactive stress response.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overactive
Adjective
-
In the summer, mountain temperatures have risen to 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) and left reindeer over-heated and unable to graze enough to gain the weight needed to sustain them in winter.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
At an afterparty, the two men became involved in a heated exchange, Wright told the grand jury.—
Gina Barton,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Plus, the service lost subscribers last quarter—a show people are excited about could lure back some whose bundles expired.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Like her popular work with Timberland, which includes glossy, patent leather versions of the brand’s boots and a 14-inch heel, Carter’s Nike debut wasn’t afraid to take chances, which has us even more excited for what’s to come next from the collaboration.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As officers tried to determine if he was connected to the disturbance, Cusick allegedly became agitated and produced a firearm, Depue said earlier.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The phenomenon is caused by a chemical reaction the algae produce when they are agitated or disturbed — if they are grabbed by a predator, for example, or experience a surge of movement from a wave or swimmer.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Groff argues that this hyperactive pace erodes not just productivity, but our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Since emerging as a hyperactive, scaffolding-scaling rapper in the early 2010s, MGK — formerly Machine Gun Kelly, born Colson Baker — has forged his own path through the pop-cultural consciousness.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overactive. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share