overreach

[ oh-ver-reech ]

verb (used with object)

1. to reach or extend over or beyond:

   The shelf overreached the nook and had to be planed down.

2. to go beyond, as a thing aimed at or sought:

   an arrow that had overreached the target.

3. to stretch to excess, as by a straining effort:

   to overreach one's arm and strain a muscle.

4. to defeat (oneself ) by overdoing matters, often by excessive eagerness or cunning:

   In trying to promote disunity he had overreached himself.

5. to strain or exert (oneself or itself ) to the point of exceeding the purpose.
6. to get the better of, especially by deceit or trickery; outwit:

   Every time you deal with them you wonder if they're overreaching you.

7. to overtake.
8. Obsolete. to overpower.

verb (used without object)

1. to reach or extend over something.
2. to reach too far:

   In grabbing for the rope he overreached and fell.

3. to cheat others.
4. (of a running or walking horse) to strike, or strike and injure, the forefoot with the hind foot.
5. Nautical. to sail on a tack longer than is desirable or was intended; overstand.

overreach

/ ˌəʊvəˈriːtʃ /

verb

1. tr to defeat or thwart (oneself) by attempting to do or gain too much
2. tr to aim for but miss by going too far or attempting too much
3. to get the better of (a person) by trickery
4. tr to reach or extend beyond or over
5. intr to reach or go too far
6. intr (of a horse) to strike the back of a forefoot with the edge of the opposite hind foot

Other Words From

• over·reacher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overreach¹

First recorded in 1300–50; over- + reach ( def )

Example Sentences

He’ll invariably overreach, and fail.

From Salon

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who made her name as state attorney general by filing lawsuits against the first Trump administration, said she would defend the freedoms of her people "in the face of any attempted federal overreach."

From Salon

He accused the agency of "regulatory overreach".

From BBC

“If Trump doesn’t break the law, if he doesn’t violate the Constitution, if he doesn’t overreach his authority in unlawful ways, there’ll be nothing for us to do,” Bonta said.

From Los Angeles Times

Cryptocurrency voters emerged as a force in this election, scrutinizing candidates' positions on everything from regulatory clarity to innovative policies and government overreach.

From Salon

Related Words

• overdo