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overreact

[ oh-ver-ree-akt ]
/ ˌoʊ vər riˈækt /
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See synonyms for overreact on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
to react or respond more strongly than is necessary or appropriate.
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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
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Origin of overreact

First recorded in 1960–65; over- + react

OTHER WORDS FROM overreact

o·ver·re·ac·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to overreact

lose it, scare, alarm, clutch, stampede, startle, terrify, unnerve, freeze up, go to pieces, have a fit, push panic button, run scared

How to use overreact in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for overreact

overreact
/ (ˌəʊvərɪˈækt) /
verb
(intr) to react excessively to something

Derived forms of overreact

overreaction, noun
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
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