overbroad

adjective

over·​broad ˌō-vər-ˈbrȯd 

: too widely applicable or applied : excessively broad

an overbroad interpretation of the statute

… a litigant challenging an overbroad law …

—Laurence H. Tribe

… was reckless in its assignment of unnecessary and overbroad surveillance powers.

—The New York Times

But he tends, at times, to draw overbroad generalizations from his personal experience.

—Alexander Stille

Examples of overbroad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But proposals for quick and widespread takedown, with no safeguards or even discussion of the risks of overbroad censorship, are incomplete and irresponsible. —Emma Llansó, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2019

The company’s own research revealed its overbroad influence, too, Mehta noted. —Ben Guarino, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2024

The group claimed the law would impact their livelihoods due to the law’s overbroad language restricting artistic performances, especially considering the group’s drag-centric themes. —Angele Latham, USA TODAY, 19 July 2024

The judge concluded that the law is overbroad and overly restrictive. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

overbroad

adjective

over·​broad

ˌō-vər-ˈbrȯd

: not sufficiently restricted to a specific subject or purpose

an overbroad search

especially : characterized by a prohibition or chilling effect on constitutionally protected conduct

an overbroad statute

compare vague