overcompensate
[ oh-ver-kom-puh n-seyt ]
/ ˌoʊ vərˈkɒm pənˌseɪt /
verb (used with object), o·ver·com·pen·sat·ed, o·ver·com·pen·sat·ing.
to compensate or reward excessively; overpay: Some stockholders feel the executives are being overcompensated and that bonuses should be reduced.
verb (used without object), o·ver·com·pen·sat·ed, o·ver·com·pen·sat·ing.
to exhibit psychological overcompensation; strive to overcome a sense of inferiority through overt, opposite behavior: The aggressive patient may be overcompensating, and be a profoundly shy person beneath the façade.
Origin of overcompensate
Words nearby overcompensate
overcoat, the,
overcoating,
overcoil,
overcome,
overcommit,
overcompensate,
overcompensation,
overcomplex,
overconfident,
overconsumption,
overcook
British Dictionary definitions for over-compensate
overcompensate
/ (ˌəʊvəˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪt) /
verb
to compensate (a person or thing) excessively
(intr) psychol
to engage in overcompensation