overactive

adjective

over·​ac·​tive ˌō-vər-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce overactive (audio)
: excessively or abnormally active
overactive glands
an overactive imagination
overactivity noun

Examples of overactive in a Sentence

She has an overactive bladder. His crazy ideas are products of an overactive imagination.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Nail Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that develops when an overactive immune system causes skin cells to grow too quickly, leading to itchy plaques of thick, burning, or irritated skin. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 21 Oct. 2024 Even the balm of the New Hampshire wilderness has not slowed Rohrer’s overactive motor. Joseph Bien-Kahn, WIRED, 19 Sep. 2024 The condition causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormones, which results in hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 7 Aug. 2024 The pressure of having too much milk build up in the breasts can also cause an overactive letdown reflex and a fast flow of breast milk out of your breasts. Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for overactive 

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overactive was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near overactive

Cite this Entry

“Overactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overactive. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

overactive

adjective
over·​ac·​tive ˌō-və-ˈrak-tiv How to pronounce overactive (audio)
: very active and especially abnormally so
an overactive thyroid
overactivity noun

Medical Definition

overactive

adjective
over·​ac·​tive ˌō-və-ˈrak-tiv How to pronounce overactive (audio)
: excessively or abnormally active
an overactive mind
overactive glands
overactivity noun
plural overactivities

More from Merriam-Webster on overactive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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