Thesaurus results for OVERREACH

overreach

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈrēch

Definition of overreach

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

Relevance

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overreach Now, who can stop the president from overreaching? — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 Criticizing the Legislature has become a common theme among local governments, such as Boise and Meridian, who have often complained that state lawmakers overreach and step on local control. — Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2026 During the McCarthy era, overreaching laws, surveillance, and public and private sector reprisals ostensibly targeted alleged communists. — Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026 At some point, the bracket creep is going to overreach into the point of diminishing marginal returns — dulling regular seasons and perhaps ultimately even eventually interest in the postseasons. — Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for overreach

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overreach

Verb

Michelin said defeating the current version of the measure is California Retailers Association’s top priority of all the bills that are still pending in the Legislature.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
The Texas Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-6 at Globe Life Field on Thursday night to reclaim first place in the American League West.

— Cal Phillips Updated July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

The Lodging Association letter, which was written by executive director Fred Tayco, says charging hotels a flat fee could violate Proposition 26’s requirements that fees not exceed the reasonable cost of providing a service.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Near-record copper prices, exceeding $6 a pound, are prompting manufacturers to switch to aluminum, signaling a potential end to copper's boom.

— Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of exceed

Verb

On top of that, there was a terror attack plot at one of her concerts in Vienna in 2024, which was thwarted.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026
While they were successfully thwarted, the country’s Cyber Security Council noted that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to develop more advanced techniques.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 July 2026

Definition of thwart

Verb

Organizers of celebrations months in the making had to adjust or cancel activities entirely as much of the East Coast sweltered under heat that approached and in many cases surpassed triple digits.

— Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
With the more than 2,000-acre jump in size, the Aspen Acres fire has surpassed the 2012 High Park fire and sits behind the 2018 Spring Creek fire, which consumed 108,045 acres, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

— Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 5 July 2026

Definition of surpass

Verb

Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring with a spectacular cross-shot that deceived Jordan Pickford and, although Jude Bellingham struck back for England in first-half stoppage time, Norway looked the more likely winners as the second period wore on.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Only after this second handover did my father realize he had been deceived.

— Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026

Definition of deceive

Verb

After scoring in Mexico’s opening match against South Africa — his first goal at a World Cup — Jimenez was overcome with emotion on the pitch.

— Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
To be able to feel and touch the community of Cologne, and this person who suffered that ordeal and overcame it — and then managed to carry out the courage of her convictions with Ukrainian refugees.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

Apple's September launch of the iPhone 18 Pro is a calculated strategic move to outmaneuver Android competitors, including Samsung and Google.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
In the end, Seattle outmaneuvered and outbodied the Sparks, snatching steals and flipping the ball around the perimeter until the Storm fired off a shot.

— Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of outmaneuver

Verb

Outflanked by cruel and fickle gods at every turn, legendary Greek hero Odysseus outsmarted a one-eyed giant, suffered through the bewitching Sirens’ song and braved the Underworld’s dead denizens.

— Alex Pulaski, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
For more than 100 years, people have tried to sequester it and tame it and outsmart it, and for more than 100 years the Mississippi has found its own way.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of outsmart

Browse Nearby Words

overrating

overreach

overreached

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Style

“Overreach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overreach. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of overreach

verb

Example Sentences

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