overexcite

verb

over·​ex·​cite ˌō-vər-ik-ˈsīt How to pronounce overexcite (audio)
-ek-
overexcited; overexciting

transitive verb

: to excite to an excessive degree
overexcites the dog simply by walking in the house
"Now don't overexcite yourself, Grandpa," Mrs. Bucket said.Roald Dahl
Such drawings are also rather characteristic of Tourette's syndrome—the original form, the original thought, lost in a jungle of embellishment … First the imagination is awakened, then overexcited, to endlessness and excess.Oliver Sacks
overexcitable adjective
overexcitable fans
an overexcitable puppy
overexcitability noun
overexcitability in children
overexcitement noun
The Ifta-winning actor's disappointment at her bit-part … was worsened by her brother's overexcitement at seeing his big sister on stage. Jennifer Ryan

Examples of overexcite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After designing a miniature dueling arena—a plate with plastic dividers—the scientists chemically manipulated the odorant receptors of Florida carpenter ants from the same and neighboring colonies, either blocking or overexciting the receptors. Jillian Kramer, Scientific American, 1 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overexcite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overexcite was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near overexcite

Cite this Entry

“Overexcite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overexcite. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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