overreach

American  

[oh-ver-reech] / ˌoʊ vərˈritʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to reach or extend over or beyond.

   The shelf overreached the nook and had to be planed down.

2. to go beyond, as a thing aimed at or sought.

   an arrow that had overreached the target.

3. to stretch to excess, as by a straining effort.

   to overreach one's arm and strain a muscle.

4. to defeat (oneself ) by overdoing matters, often by excessive eagerness or cunning.

   In trying to promote disunity he had overreached himself.

5. to strain or exert (oneself or itself ) to the point of exceeding the purpose.

6. to get the better of, especially by deceit or trickery; outwit.

   Every time you deal with them you wonder if they're overreaching you.

7. to overtake.

8. Obsolete. to overpower.

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verb (used without object)

1. to reach or extend over something.

2. to reach too far.

   In grabbing for the rope he overreached and fell.

3. to cheat others.

4. (of a running or walking horse) to strike, or strike and injure, the forefoot with the hind foot.

5. Nautical. to sail on a tack longer than is desirable or was intended; overstand.

overreach British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈriːtʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to defeat or thwart (oneself) by attempting to do or gain too much

2. (tr) to aim for but miss by going too far or attempting too much

3. to get the better of (a person) by trickery

4. (tr) to reach or extend beyond or over

5. (intr) to reach or go too far

6. (intr) (of a horse) to strike the back of a forefoot with the edge of the opposite hind foot

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Other Word Forms

• overreacher noun

Etymology

Origin of overreach

First recorded in 1300–50; over- + reach ( def. )

Example Sentences

Despite that setup, Kahyaoglu wrote capital controls were an overreach: “Contractors don’t need to be regulated, given contract structure and clearer demand signals, self-regulate investments.”

From Barron's

It was a backup plan for a chaotic system, not an example of bureaucratic overreach.

From MarketWatch

Beijing might have trouble capitalizing on regional concerns about U.S. overreach, she said, because China is “no longer viewed across parts of the region as an economic lifeline or stabilizing external partner.”

From The Wall Street Journal

However, Sacks faces mounting criticism for potential overreach.

From Barron's

British Columbia’s leader, Premier David Eby, seeking to stem further economic fallout, criticized the court ruling, calling it “overreaching” and “unhelpful” during a recent speech.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• overdo