overcompensate

[oh-ver-kom-puh n-seyt]

verb (used with object), o·ver·com·pen·sat·ed, o·ver·com·pen·sat·ing.

to compensate or reward excessively; overpay: Some stockholders feel the executives are being overcompensated and that bonuses should be reduced.

verb (used without object), o·ver·com·pen·sat·ed, o·ver·com·pen·sat·ing.

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.

Origin of overcompensate

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for over-compensate

counterpoise, countervail, retrieve, atone, redress, recoup, expiate, return, recover, propitiate, pay, fix, reciprocate, compensate, square, satisfy, grease, indemnify, reimburse, remunerate

British Dictionary definitions for over-compensate

overcompensate

verb

to compensate (a person or thing) excessively

(intr) psychol to engage in overcompensation

Derived Formsovercompensatory, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for over-compensate

1758 (implied in over-compensated), from over- + compensate. Related: Over-compensating.