overreact

verb

over·​re·​act ˌō-vər-rē-ˈakt How to pronounce overreact (audio)
overreacted; overreacting

intransitive verb

: to react to something too strongly : to respond to something with too strong an emotion or with unnecessary or excessive action
I was furious and yelled at him. He told me I was overreacting and to "chillax."Ben Stein
The world isn't coming to an end. You shouldn't overreact to the negative news.Adam Bryant
Some of his animals had become apprehensive and twitchy, overreacting to sound or touch …Mark Caldwell
But the military police overreacted, using tear gas, rubber bullets and excessive force in front of news cameras that spread the images countrywide.Grant Wahl
… the poisonous surfeit of hormones produced by the overreacting immune system.Shannon Brownlee
Sometimes companies in a little bit of trouble are the best investments because the market has overreacted.Orson C. Clay
overreaction noun
plural overreactions
… he had said almost angrily that he couldn't tell her anything without eliciting a huge overreaction. Ann Beattie
This response is an overreaction by your immune system to an otherwise harmless substance, such as pollen or pet dander. Medical Clinic Health Letter

Examples of overreact 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.
This misperception can contribute to relational tension, as these individuals may overreact or behave defensively, interpreting a neutral response as a form of rejection. Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 The strategy by opponents has two possible payoffs: The Oilers overreact and get into penalty trouble, or lose focus on the game at hand. Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 Asking Eric: The mom overreacted and limited my contact with the grandkids GENTLE READER: Have these people not heard about remote work? Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025 Trump’s rhetoric also has the benefit of giving fodder to his supporters, who have embraced his view of American exceptionalism and dominance abroad and relish seeing liberals overreact to what the president-elect is saying. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for overreact 

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overreact was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near overreact

Cite this Entry

“Overreact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overreact. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

overreact

intransitive verb
over·​re·​act ˌō-və(r)-rē-ˈakt How to pronounce overreact (audio)
: to react excessively or too strongly
the body's immune system overreacts to the endotoxinTina Adler
overreaction noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overreact

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