1
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the narrow streets of the old European city are lined with row houses often having overhanging second stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in threatening
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the problem of how he might be able to afford sending his children to college has been overhanging him for several years
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 overhanging
Max Zahn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
The main question overhanging the episode, and which will presumably drive much of the season, revolves around how all of the series’ players are connected to House.
—Jack King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
For easy removal, line the baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper and leave a few inches overhanging on two sides.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2025
The two bedrooms are secluded in a separate wing of the house, with the primary suite tucked behind the kitchen, while the pool and raised spa sit next to a wraparound terrace shaded by overhanging eaves.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025
Body-camera footage shows the off-duty deputy — wearing a plain T-shirt and a backpack — pleading with Collins, who was perched in a tree overhanging the water.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
He is described as a gigantic, ogre-like man who reeks of urine and is usually dribbling saliva from his overhanging bottom lip.
—Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
Swinging from the overhanging branches and darting through the woods, the animals were heading toward a nearby housing project, their pink faces lit with glee.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
In Tennessee, property owners can trim overhanging branches from a neighbor's tree under certain circumstances.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
The performance defied concerns overhanging the economy for months, as hiring slowed and inflation ticked higher.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
The main question overhanging the episode, and which will presumably drive much of the season, revolves around how all of the series’ players are connected to House.
—Jack King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
For easy removal, line the baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper and leave a few inches overhanging on two sides.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2025
The two bedrooms are secluded in a separate wing of the house, with the primary suite tucked behind the kitchen, while the pool and raised spa sit next to a wraparound terrace shaded by overhanging eaves.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025
Body-camera footage shows the off-duty deputy — wearing a plain T-shirt and a backpack — pleading with Collins, who was perched in a tree overhanging the water.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
He is described as a gigantic, ogre-like man who reeks of urine and is usually dribbling saliva from his overhanging bottom lip.
—Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
Swinging from the overhanging branches and darting through the woods, the animals were heading toward a nearby housing project, their pink faces lit with glee.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
In Tennessee, property owners can trim overhanging branches from a neighbor's tree under certain circumstances.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overhanging
Adjective
-
Note that this bag is larger than most of the others on this list, and may not fit in the overhead bin on all airlines—always be sure to check your airline’s baggage limits directly!—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Smyth used a pair of (clean) boxer shorts to cover the overhead fixture, and instantly, the entire mood changed.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Most often, she was seen with protruding, sculptural hair, abstract eye shadow, and vibrant lip colors, all in line with her aesthetic at the Mugler 1986 show.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Internal bleeding covers a wide range of severity, from life-threatening injuries to bruising.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Now, Iran is threatening to expedite trials and executions for protesters.—
Cate Martel,
The Hill,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The nuclear engine would be part of the rocket’s upper stage, while the second-stage booster would use conventional fuel.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
After Friday’s game, those in-the-door prices soared to around $3,800 — and that was for seats in the final rows of the upper deck of Hard Rock Stadium.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The former child actor dove into his speech by first poking fun at his Home Alone fame.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In June 2021, Megan posted a birthday tribute to Stellan, poking fun at his lack of an Instagram account in the caption.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overhanging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overhanging. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
