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overthink

British

/ ˌəʊvəˈθɪŋk /

verb

to spend more time thinking about something than is necessary or productive

"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

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.

You shouldn't overthink your first job, agrees Charlotte Bosworth, chief executive of apprenticeship provider Lifetime Training, which works with brands like Nando's and B&Q as well as the Department for International Trade.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

When looking for the best ways to play the ongoing semiconductor boom this year, investors might not want to overthink things.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 9, 2026

The best bet for investors during this period may be to not overthink, especially with trading volumes so low.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

Mr. Brodsky offers up guidance on everything from productivity to “impression management techniques,” but perhaps the most important lesson is to be authentic and not overthink your digital exchanges with co-workers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

“It’s okay. I’m right here. Try to relax and enjoy the water. Don’t overthink it. You won’t drown.”

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

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