overthink

verb

over·think ˌō-vər-ˈthiŋk

overthought ˌō-vər-ˈthȯt

; overthinking

: to think too much about (something) : to put too much time into thinking about or analyzing (something) in a way that is more harmful than helpful

overthink a situation/problem

someone who overthinks and worries too much

"I was a terrible actor when I went to New York. I was scared. I would overprepare, sometimes overthink a role."—

Paul Newman

For a while now, I've been finding current fiction hard to read: airlessly competent, relentlessly put-together, overthought.—

David Gates

overthinker noun

plural overthinkers

But the problem is I'm an overthinker. I contemplate and consider, deliberate and debate things small and large in my life. Simple things become complicated and easy decisions become complex. —

Alyssa Meier

Examples of overthink 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.

Mercury in your sign will tempt you to overthink decisions. —

Essence, 1 Nov. 2024 Add to Your Coffee Table Collection Don’t overthink your pumpkin decorating. —

Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024 When there is extensive knowledge in a domain, individuals or systems can operate efficiently without needing to overthink or overfocus. —

Hamilton Mann, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 The Dodgers shouldn’t overthink Game 5, which should be a bullpen game, columnist Dylan Hernández writes. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overthink