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  1. Home /
  2. Dictionaries /
  3. English Dictionary /
  4. overreach

overreach

/ˈoʊvərˌriːtʃ/
to extend beyond what is reasonable or appropriate

The company overreached by trying to expand into too many markets at once.

The company tried to grow too quickly and failed because it took on too much.


general

to extend one's power, influence, or actions beyond what is reasonable or appropriate

The politician overreached by promising too many reforms in a single term.

The politician made unrealistic promises that were impossible to fulfill.

She overreached by trying to control every aspect of the project.

She tried to manage too much, which led to inefficiencies and mistakes.

Often used in political, business, or personal contexts to describe overambitious or unrealistic actions.

Collocations

overreach oneselfto attempt more than one can handleoverreach one's authorityto exceed the limits of one's power

Synonyms

overstepexceedoverplayoverdo

Antonyms

underachieverestrainlimit

Related Phrases

reach too farphrase
to attempt something beyond one's capabilities
bite off more than you can chewidiom
to take on more than one can handle

Pro Tip

Common Usage

Use 'overreach' to describe actions that are overly ambitious or unrealistic.

Gold Rule

Context Matters

'Overreach' is often used in political, business, or personal contexts to describe overambitious actions.

Word Origin

From Middle English 'overrechen,' meaning to calculate too much or exceed limits.

Usage Notes

Often used to criticize actions that are seen as overly ambitious or unrealistic.

Word Breakdown

over-
excessive or beyond
prefix
+
reach
to extend or attempt
root
English Dictionary
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