overreach
verb
over·reach
ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 
ˌō-və-
overreached; overreaching; overreaches
1
: to reach above or beyond : overtop
2
: to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much
3
: to get the better of especially in dealing and bargaining and typically by unscrupulous or crafty methods
1
of a horse
: to strike the forefoot with the front part of the hind foot
2
a
: to go to excess
b
3
: to overreach oneself
Examples of overreach in a Sentence
She overreaches in her latest book, and her argument is not convincing.
The company overreached itself and ran out of money after one year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Like its first season, the drama’s sixth one arrives designed to meet this moment, showing us the risks that must be taken, again and again, to dismantle an out-of-control, overreaching power structure.
—
Jen Chaney, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Though local concerns varied, the central message was clear: the administration’s policies are overreaching, and people are pushing back.
—Oumou Fofana, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025
But the executive is wary of overreaching, reiterating Tag Heuer’s 100-year connection with sports, particularly chronometry for automobiles.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025
Setting aside the fact that this order may deny care to adults, who are free to make their own health care decisions, this overreaching executive order substitutes the president’s misinformed view for that of every medical association in America.
—Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overreach
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Jen Chaney, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Though local concerns varied, the central message was clear: the administration’s policies are overreaching, and people are pushing back.
—Oumou Fofana, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025
But the executive is wary of overreaching, reiterating Tag Heuer’s 100-year connection with sports, particularly chronometry for automobiles.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025
Setting aside the fact that this order may deny care to adults, who are free to make their own health care decisions, this overreaching executive order substitutes the president’s misinformed view for that of every medical association in America.
—Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overreach
Cite this Entry
“Overreach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overreach. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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Medical Definition
overreach
intransitive verb
over·reach
-ˈrēch
of a horse
: to strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or quarter of the forefoot
Legal Definition
overreach
transitive verb
over·reach
ˌō-vər-ˈrēch
: to make (someone or something) the subject of overreaching
this uncounseled defendant was…overreached by the prosecution's submission of misinformation to the court—Townsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736 (1948)
Townsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736 (1948)must determine whether it overreached privilege—National Law Journal
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