overcompensate

American  

[oh-ver-kom-puhn-seyt] / ˌoʊ vərˈkɒm pənˌseɪt /

verb (used with object)

overcompensated, overcompensating

1. to compensate or reward excessively; overpay.

   Some stockholders feel the executives are being overcompensated and that bonuses should be reduced.

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verb (used without object)

overcompensated, overcompensating

1. to exhibit psychological overcompensation; strive to overcome a sense of inferiority through overt, opposite behavior.

   The aggressive patient may be overcompensating, and be a profoundly shy person beneath the façade.

overcompensate British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪt /

verb

1. to compensate (a person or thing) excessively

2. (intr) psychol to engage in overcompensation

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Other Word Forms

• overcompensatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of overcompensate

1760–70; over- + compensate; as term in psychology, perhaps back formation from overcompensation

Example Sentences

“But we have to be on the same page and trust that the guy next to us is going to do his job, and we don’t have to overcompensate for anything.”

From Los Angeles Times

If the comedy overcompensates at the expense of landing every gag, then good on her.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Finance and Leasing Association, the body that represents the lending industry, has said the FCA is "overcompensating".

From BBC

There was the stomach virus at the start of the year, which caused him to lose 20 pounds and develop bad swing habits while overcompensating for a decline in physical strength.

From Los Angeles Times

Rudy may have been the scene-stealer in the earliest seasons of the show, but Theo had the most heart, striving to live up to his parents’ high expectations while behaviorally overcompensating for his low grades.

From Salon