overreach
verb
over·reach
ˌō-vər-ˈrēch 
ˌō-və-
overreached; overreaching; overreaches
1
: to reach above or beyond : overtop
2
: to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much
3
: to get the better of especially in dealing and bargaining and typically by unscrupulous or crafty methods
1
of a horse
: to strike the forefoot with the front part of the hind foot
2
a
: to go to excess
b
3
: to overreach oneself
Examples of overreach in a Sentence
She overreaches in her latest book, and her argument is not convincing.
The company overreached itself and ran out of money after one year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Armstrong claimed Coinbase was not in violation of any law, and the SEC overreached in its effort to rein in its efforts.
—
David Goldman, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Even amid the new strategic circumstances, there will be limits on Iran’s concessions, and Trump could easily overreach—or even pursue regime change in Tehran.
—Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2025
Nvidia fears 'overreach' Because the rules alter the landscape for AI chips and data centers around the world, powerful industry voices criticized the plan even before it was published.
—Karen Freifeld, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Recommended The Monitor's View Flipping the script on Trump’s deportations
In response, the administration pushed back with claims that the court is overreaching.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overreach
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David Goldman, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Even amid the new strategic circumstances, there will be limits on Iran’s concessions, and Trump could easily overreach—or even pursue regime change in Tehran.
—Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2025
Nvidia fears 'overreach' Because the rules alter the landscape for AI chips and data centers around the world, powerful industry voices criticized the plan even before it was published.
—Karen Freifeld, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Recommended The Monitor's View Flipping the script on Trump’s deportations
In response, the administration pushed back with claims that the court is overreaching.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overreach
Cite this Entry
“Overreach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overreach. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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Medical Definition
overreach
intransitive verb
over·reach
-ˈrēch
of a horse
: to strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or quarter of the forefoot
Legal Definition
overreach
transitive verb
over·reach
ˌō-vər-ˈrēch
: to make (someone or something) the subject of overreaching
this uncounseled defendant was…overreached by the prosecution's submission of misinformation to the court—Townsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736 (1948)
Townsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736 (1948)must determine whether it overreached privilege—National Law Journal
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