overmatch

[oh-ver-mach]

verb (used with object)

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.

to match (a competitor) against another of superior strength, ability, or the like.

Nearby words

Origin of overmatch

First recorded in 1300–50, overmatch is from the Middle English word overmacchen. See over-, match²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for overmatch

Was this a man to be an antagonist and overmatch for wild beasts?
Not Paul, But Jesus|Jeremy Bentham
He was far my overmatch in strength and size; but I stood up to him.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10)|Maria Edgeworth
The section of Parrot guns in Morgan's battery proved an overmatch for it, however, and it retired to seek reinforcements.
Military Reminiscences of the Civil War V1|Jacob Dolson Cox
This power has proved itself an overmatch for the genius of liberty in the states of Europe.
Lectures on the Philosophy and Practice of Slavery|William A. Smith

The naked Derar, horsed on an idea, was found an overmatch for a troop of cavalry.
How to Succeed|Orison Swett Marden

British Dictionary definitions for overmatch

overmatch

verb (ˌəʊvəˈmætʃ) (tr)

to be more than a match for

to match with a superior opponent

noun (ˈəʊvəˌmætʃ)

a person superior in ability

a match in which one contestant is superior

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 overmatch

overmatch

mid-14c., "be more than a match for," from over- + match (v.). Related: Overmatched; overmatching.