Synonyms

overact

American

[oh-ver-akt] / ˌoʊ vərˈækt /

verb (used with or without object)

to act in an exaggerated manner.

overact British

/ ˌəʊvərˈækt /

verb

Also: overplay. to act or behave in an exaggerated manner, as in a theatrical production

"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

Other Word Forms

overaction noun

Etymology

Origin of overact

First recorded in 1605–15; over- + act

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, Freeman is the only performer here who doesn’t overact.

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2023

“My reaction is not to overact but I didn’t like it,” Del Rio said.

From Washington Times • Aug. 17, 2022

And so that is why in the theater, the actors tend to be very exaggerated or overact.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2021

She remembers turning up at castings as recently as five years ago, recording self-tapes, running lines with her mother, who could be counted on to overact.

From The Guardian • Oct. 13, 2019

"You overact your part," said young Wharton, in constant apprehension of discovery; "your zeal is too intemperate."

From The Spy by Cooper, James Fenimore

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023