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Synonyms

overactive

American  
[oh-ver-ak-tiv] / ˌoʊ vərˈæk tɪv /

adjective

  1. exceptionally or excessively active; too active.


overactive British  
/ ˌəʊvərˈæktɪv /

adjective

  1. inordinately active

  2. (of the thyroid or adrenal gland, nervous system, etc) functioning at too high a capacity

"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

Etymology

Origin of overactive

First recorded in 1640–50; over- + active

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.

See Examples For:

“As most fiction, it is a composite, an amalgam of personal experience, research and my fertile, overactive imagination,” Raicek said.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 16, 2026

Koy, the son of a white father and Filipina mother, saw comedy as a way to channel an overactive personality and need to make people laugh into a career.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 5, 2026

"I'm a fierce perfectionist and there is an overactive, hugely self-critical voice in my head - my whole life is an exercise in trying to shake that," he says.

From BBC Dec. 31, 2025

The company launched a new product for overactive bladder called Altaviva.

From Barron's Nov. 18, 2025

It occurs when an overactive immune system begins attacking the cells that create pigment, or color, in the skin.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

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