as in exceeded
to go beyond the limit of
the principal overstepped her authority in ordering everyone to remain in the unheated school
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Recent Examples of overstepped
Though many in policy-making and legislative positions may have found his views repellant, that did not distract from bipartisan concern that the federal enforcement operation may have overstepped constitutional bounds.
—
Odette Yousef, NPR, 24 Jan. 2026
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office overstepped its legal bounds in signing an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to assist in immigration enforcement, according to a legal analysis provided to the county’s Board of Supervisors.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Dhiaa Al-Hashimi, a 44-year-old English teacher, said Saudi Arabia overstepped.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Willis pushed back on the notion Tolbert has overstepped.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
In the 2-1 opinion, the appeals court said Cummings overstepped his authority on the blanket release of the detainees without assessing each case individually.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
The controversy stems from the claim that Trump has overstepped his constitutional authority granted by that act, which does not mention tariffs or specifically authorize the president to impose them.
—Kent Jones, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
The controversy stems from the claim that Trump has overstepped his constitutional authority granted by that act, which does not mention tariffs or specifically authorize the president to impose them.
—Kent Jones, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
The Florida Education Association and the United Faculty of Florida filed the administrative challenge last week, contending that state education officials overstepped their legal authority in moving forward with the plan.
—Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Odette Yousef, NPR, 24 Jan. 2026
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office overstepped its legal bounds in signing an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to assist in immigration enforcement, according to a legal analysis provided to the county’s Board of Supervisors.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Dhiaa Al-Hashimi, a 44-year-old English teacher, said Saudi Arabia overstepped.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Willis pushed back on the notion Tolbert has overstepped.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
In the 2-1 opinion, the appeals court said Cummings overstepped his authority on the blanket release of the detainees without assessing each case individually.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
The controversy stems from the claim that Trump has overstepped his constitutional authority granted by that act, which does not mention tariffs or specifically authorize the president to impose them.
—Kent Jones, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
The controversy stems from the claim that Trump has overstepped his constitutional authority granted by that act, which does not mention tariffs or specifically authorize the president to impose them.
—Kent Jones, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
The Florida Education Association and the United Faculty of Florida filed the administrative challenge last week, contending that state education officials overstepped their legal authority in moving forward with the plan.
—Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstepped
Verb
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Twenty-four years later, their mission and their conduct have exceeded the worst imaginings of even their sharpest critics.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 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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The initial target of $50,000 has long been surpassed, with the total now sitting at $60,000.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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However, Qualcomm surpassed earnings and revenue expectations for the fiscal first quarter.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overstepped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstepped. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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