overreact

[ oh-ver-ree-akt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to react or respond more strongly than is necessary or appropriate.

overreact

/ ˌəʊvərɪˈækt /

verb

1. intr to react excessively to something

Derived Forms

• ˌoverreˈaction, noun

Other Words From

• over·re·action noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overreact¹

First recorded in 1960–65; over- + react

Example Sentences

However, many say the market overreacted and that despite Trump’s public hostility toward green energy, he may be able to slow it down, but he can’t stop it.

From Los Angeles Times

Police investigating the nerve agent poisoning of an ex-Russian spy were told he was not living in the area and they were "overreacting".

From BBC

Maybe the Democrats overreacted to Biden’s appearance in the first debate.

From Salon

“I may have overreacted and caught him a little off guard, but an overtime one-handed catch like that, it brought me out of my seat.”

From Los Angeles Times

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition which occurs when a body’s immune system overreacts to an infection.

From BBC

Related Words

• lose it
• scare