What does overreach mean?

Definitions for overreach
ˌoʊ vərˈritʃover·reach

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word overreach.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. overreachverb

    fail by aiming too high or trying too hard

  2. outwit, overreach, outsmart, outfox, beat, circumventverb

    beat through cleverness and wit

    "I beat the traffic"; "She outfoxed her competitors"

GCIDE

  1. Overreachverb

    To defeat one's own purpose by trying to do too much or by trying too hard or with excessive eagerness; -- used reflexively; as, the candidate overreached himself by trying to plant false rumors, which backfired/

Wiktionary

  1. overreachnoun

    The act of striking the heel of the fore foot with the toe of the hind foot; -- said of horses.

  2. overreachnoun

    The act of extending or reaching too far, overextension.

  3. overreachverb

    To reach above or beyond in any direction.

  4. overreachverb

    To deceive, or get the better of, by artifice or cunning; to outwit; to cheat.

  5. overreachverb

    To reach too far

  6. overreachverb

    To strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or shoe of the forefoot; -- said of horses.

  7. overreachverb

    To sail on one tack farther than is necessary.

  8. overreachverb

    To cheat by cunning or deception.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. To Overreachverb

    Etymology: over and reach.

    The mountains of Olympus, Atho and Atlas, over-reach and surmount all winds and clouds. Walter Raleigh.

    Sixteen hundred years after the earth was made, it was overflowed in a deluge of water in such excess, that the floods over-reached the tops of the highest mountains. Burnet.

    What more cruel than man, if he see himself able by fraud to over-reach, or by power to over-bear the laws whereunto he should be subject. Richard Hooker, b. v. s. 2.

    I have laid my brain in the sun and dried it, that it wants matter to prevent so gross over-reaching. William Shakespeare.

    Shame to be overcome, or over-reach’d,
    Would utmost vigour raise, and rais’d unite. John Milton.

    A man who had been matchless held
    In cunning, over-reach’d where least he thought,
    To save his credit, and for very spight
    Still will be tempting him who foils him still. John Milton.

    There is no pleasanter encounter than a trial of skill betwixt sharpers to over-reach one another. Roger L'Estrange.

    Forbidding oppression, defrauding and over-reaching one another, perfidiousness and treachery. John Tillotson.

    Such a principle is ambition, or a desire of fame, by which many vicious men are over-reached, and engaged contrary to their natural inclinations in a glorious and laudable course of action. Joseph Addison, Spectator, №. 255.

    John had got an impression that Lewis was so deadly cunning a man, that he was afraid to venture himself alone with him; at last he took heart of grace; let him come up, quoth he, it is but sticking to my point, and he can never over-reach me. History of J. Bull.

  2. To Overreachverb

    A horse is said to over-reach, when he brings his hinder feet too far forwards, and strikes his toes against his fore shoes. Farr. Dict.

ChatGPT

  1. overreach

    Overreach refers to the act of doing more than is required, possible, or appropriate, often in an attempt to accomplish too much or gain more control. This often results in negative consequences such as errors, inefficiencies, or backlash. It can also mean to stretch one's capabilities or resources to their limit, often by trying to do something that is not possible or practical.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Overreach

    ō-vėr-rēch′, v.t. to reach or extend beyond: to cheat or get the better of.—v.i. to strike the hindfoot against the forefoot, as a horse.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of overreach in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of overreach in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of overreach in a Sentence

  1. West Virginia:

    This decision is a critical victory in our fight against this onerous federal overreach.

  2. Wayne LaPierre:

    Let me be clear: the NRA will fight this illegal overreach more aggressively than we have ever challenged anything.

  3. The NFLPA:

    The decision puts a stop to the blatant overreach by the Jacksonville Jaguars and emphasizes the voluntary nature of almost all football activities during the off-season, it should be noted that Jacksonville Jaguars players continue to be at odds with Jacksonville Jaguars management over their rights under the CBA far more than players on other clubs.

  4. Glenn Youngkin:

    The fact that businesses are still dealing with COVID-19 related penalties and fines is infuriating, livelihoods are on the line. In the previous administration, we saw our government shut down businesses, close our schools, and separate us from each other. While we can’t undo the damage done during the Northam administration, we are taking action going forward to end COVID-era draconian overreach.

  5. Mitch McConnell:

    Senate Democrats -- especially those who've voiced opposition to the President's executive overreach — should end their partisan filibuster of Department of Homeland Security funding.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for overreach

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"overreach." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/overreach>.

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