Synonyms of overreach

overreach

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 

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

• defeat
• thwart
• deceive
• overcome
• outmaneuver
• outsmart
• fool
• outwit
• fox
• circumvent
• outthink
• outslick
• frustrate
• outfox
• trick
• balk
• impede
• foil
• hinder
• baffle
• gull
• second-guess
• conquer
• dupe
• outguess
• obstruct
• block
• lick
• bar
• cozen

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

• exceed
• surpass
• overstep
• overshoot
• transcend
• outreach
• overrun
• outrun
• trespass
• encroach
• break
• invade
• overpass
• infringe
• overuse
• entrench
• overdo
• overwork
• overutilize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overreach

This should be a welcome sign for every broadcaster who has felt the weight of this overreaching government pressure in silence. — Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

But stars Newsom and Schwarzenegger frequently fanned at the plate while overreaching. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Where supporters see government intervening to solve problems of everyday people struggling to afford groceries, others see a socialist mayor overreaching to take aim at a powerful symbol of America’s riches. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

The grand jury subpoena was filed in April and was almost immediately met with resistance from Fulton County officials, who argued the request was overreaching and came from baseless claims of election fraud six years ago. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 8 July 2026