overanalysis

noun

over·​anal·​y·​sis ˌō-vər-ə-ˈna-lə-səs How to pronounce overanalysis (audio)
plural overanalyses ˌō-vər-ə-ˈna-lə-ˌsēz How to pronounce overanalysis (audio)
: excessive analysis
overanalysis of a small problem that obstructed the real issues
He's a man of lists and overanalysis; he sweats the details.Jason Feifer
… citing the old saw about overanalysis leading to paralysis.Dan Brown and Patrick Maloney

Examples of overanalysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Let the overanalysis begin! Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 18 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overanalysis was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near overanalysis

Cite this Entry

“Overanalysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overanalysis. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!