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

His overreaching executive authority and voter suppression attempts amount to subversive governance. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

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