overmatch
Americanverb (used with object)
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to be more than a match for; surpass; defeat.
an assignment that clearly overmatched his abilities; an able task force that overmatched the enemy fleet.
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to match (a competitor) against another of superior strength, ability, or the like.
verb
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to be more than a match for
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to match with a superior opponent
noun
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a person superior in ability
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a match in which one contestant is superior
Etymology
Origin of overmatch
First recorded in 1300–50, overmatch is from the Middle English word overmacchen. See over-, match 2
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.
In June Iran’s threats didn’t amount to much, but the U.S. is quietly establishing overmatch on offense and defense.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026
“Deterring a conflict over Taiwan, ideally by preserving military overmatch, is a priority,” it says.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 6, 2026
They’ve got to overmatch his dominance and bring him down themselves.
From Salon ● Mar. 12, 2025
The big freshman has been working to be even better at using that combination to overmatch opponents.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2022
Off in the distant horizon lay the reality that the task of reaching the necessary energies would overmatch the elegant bench science of Rutherford’s generation.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
