Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

overact

[oh-ver-akt]
See more synonyms for overact on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with or without object)
  1. to act in an exaggerated manner.
Show More

Origin of overact

First recorded in 1605–15; over- + act
Related formso·ver·ac·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

overdoexaggerateoverstateoveruseoveremphasizemaximizemagnifystretchdramatizeaccentoverworkmugaccentuatehyperbolizeoverdrawoveractoverstressoverextendoverplayact

Examples from the Web for overact

Historical Examples

  • I saw Mrs. Drew play Mrs. Malaprop, and it was a lesson to people who overact.

    McClure's Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 3, July 1908.

    Various

British Dictionary definitions for overact

overact

verb
  1. to act or behave in an exaggerated manner, as in a theatrical productionAlso: overplay
Show More
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 overact

v.

1610s, "to go too far in action," from over- + act (v.). Meaning "to play a part with too much emphasis, to chew the scenery" is from 1630s. Related: Overacted; overacting.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper