overcorrection

American

[oh-ver-kuh-rek-shuhn] / ˌoʊ vər kəˈrɛk ʃən /

noun

correction beyond what is needed or customary, especially when leading to error; overadjustment.

The pilot made an overcorrection for headwinds.

Etymology

Origin of overcorrection

First recorded in 1880–85; over- + correction

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.

“I Swear” is a didactic starting point, and it may even inspire overcorrection when it comes to educating others, but its heart is in the right place.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Alex Karp also called the disarmament of Germany and Japan after World War Two an "overcorrection", backed AI weapons and condemned "ruthless exposure" of the private lives of public figures.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

From this letter, I’m gleaning that reckless spending isn’t in your nature — and I don’t want my advice to cause some sort of overcorrection.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

“But to do an overcorrection is also not helpful in that way.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2023

He nursed the power carefully, determined not to waste juice through overcorrection.

From Spillthrough by Galouye, Daniel F.

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