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

Last year, the New York Police Department moved forward with adding the robotic canines to its force despite complaints of “a dystopian overreach of police power,” according to Wired.

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

“The state is overreaching. We all know they are, causing us grief in lots of ways... We don’t need to go into all the details of that.”

From Los Angeles Times

This measure overreaches, barring the state from seeking a balance that protects landlords and renters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• overdo