overachieve

American  

[oh-ver-uh-cheev] / ˌoʊ vər əˈtʃiv /

Also over-achieve

verb (used without object)

overachieved, overachieving

1. to perform better or achieve more than people are generally expected to, often because of high ambition, pressure from family, etc.

2. to perform, especially academically, above the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.

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overachieve British  

/ ˌəʊvərəˈtʃiːv /

verb

1. (intr) to perform (for example, in examinations) better than would be expected on the basis of one's age or talents

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Other Word Forms

• overachievement noun
• overachiever noun

Etymology

Origin of overachieve

1950–55; over- + achieve, or by back formation from overachiever

Example Sentences

She has observed that many of her patients — overachieving, ambitious women — struggle to embrace pleasure.

From Los Angeles Times

The year’s sharpest pop songwriting came from an overachieving L.A. native who understands at 28 that romantic relationships don’t live — and certainly don’t die — between just two people.

From Los Angeles Times

There is hope however that China will "underpromise but overachieve" as it has with some previous targets, including on renewable energy.

From Barron's

"They'll put down a certain number, which is not great, and then they will overachieve it, and China does that a lot."

From BBC

And now with “Love Hurts,” Marvin channels his overachieving tendencies into his second career, earning the title of Regional Realtor of the Year — with the framed certificate to prove it.

From Salon