1
as in to defeat
to get the better of through cleverness
a real estate developer who is always trying to overreach his competitors, fair means or foul
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to exceed
to go beyond the limit of
the mountain climbers overreached their abilities and paid for it dearly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of overreach
That includes hackers lurking on public Wi-Fi, your internet service provider, or even an overreaching advertiser trying to build a profile on you.
—
Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Analysts warn that investors could face pain if speculative infrastructure bets outpace real-world utility or revenues, recalling lessons from early-2000s telecom overreach.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Elected in 2012 amid the Tea Party movement, Massie has been a consistent critic of an overreaching federal government, of budget deficits and foreign interventionism.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Chicago is either a war zone quickly spiraling out of control, or a peaceful city under siege by an overreaching federal government.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overreach
Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Analysts warn that investors could face pain if speculative infrastructure bets outpace real-world utility or revenues, recalling lessons from early-2000s telecom overreach.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Elected in 2012 amid the Tea Party movement, Massie has been a consistent critic of an overreaching federal government, of budget deficits and foreign interventionism.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Chicago is either a war zone quickly spiraling out of control, or a peaceful city under siege by an overreaching federal government.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overreach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overreach
Verb
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Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch also spoke before his squad defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These therapies are not universally successful, of course, but can often save lives and defeat cancers where other methods are unsuccessful.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tens of thousands remain without power from last week’s storm while authorities distribute supplies and grapple with a growing death toll exceeding 100.—
Kristin M. Hall,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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However, four players for Grand Canyon exceeded Buchanan’s point total, including three with 16 points, and senior guard Jaden Henley scored a game-high 20 — 18 of them in the second half.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Top of mind is a package of six appropriations bills that must pass by Friday to thwart a partial government shutdown.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Attorneys representing the federal government have characterized the state and local challenges as an attempt to thwart law enforcement and impede their federal duties.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Time and time again our lives surpass themselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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In 18- to 34-year-olds, the number of churchgoers has still not surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with 6% in 2024, compared to 8% in 2018.—
Will Barker,
TheWeek,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although appearances can be deceiving.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
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Ah, but appearances can be deceiving.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Global Compassion Coalition says that the first step to overcoming helplessness is to practice acceptance instead of resistance, which is a hard pill to take at the moment.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
One night after the Warriors snapped Minnesota's 103-game streak of scoring at least 100 points — the third-longest in NBA history — the Timberwolves overcame a cold start from the floor and 23 turnovers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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We are frequently being outmaneuvered, crushed, or ignored.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Legal experts told the American-Statesman at the time that the case reflected the agency’s increasingly common use of speed and technical arguments to outmaneuver attorney’s efforts to slow deportations.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There’s also the Travelon Anti-theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag designed to outsmart pickpockets, plus the Taygeer Travel Backpack that can easily replace your carry-on.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
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Williams did not play the cool heel or try to outsmart everyone.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overreach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overreach. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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