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overreact

[ oh-ver-ree-akt ]

/ ˌoʊ vər riˈækt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR overreact ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to react or respond more strongly than is necessary or appropriate.

Origin of overreact

First recorded in 1960–65; over- + react

OTHER WORDS FROM overreact

o·ver·re·ac·tion, noun

Words nearby overreact

overquick, overrake, overran, overrate, overreach, overreact, overrefine, overrefinement, overreliance, overrepresent, overrich

Example sentences from the Web for overreact

Nobody should overreact here, and they should think through the consequences of their actions.

BP, Putin, and the Power of Oil |Tim Teeman |March 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
That's why human beings are evolved to overreact to certain kind of threats.

We Shouldn't Treat Terrorism the Way We Treat Bathroom Falls |Megan McArdle |June 13, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Schools get shot up and everybody has their solution, and we often overreact.

NRA President: Don't 'Overreact' to Newtown Shooting |Lloyd Grove |December 23, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
The Obama administration should not only react judiciously, it should also try to persuade Congress not to overreact either.

The Palestinian Choice—And Ours |Hussein Ibish |November 26, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

We should not be surprised when they occur, and most importantly we should not overreact if one is eventually successful.

Al Qaeda On the Ropes |P.J. Crowley |May 2, 2011 |DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for overreact

overreact

/ (ˌəʊvərɪˈækt) /

verb

(intr) to react excessively to something

Derived forms of overreact

overreaction, noun

Medical definitions for overreact

overreact

[ ō′vər-rē-ăkt′ ]

v.

To react with unnecessary or inappropriate force, emotional display, or violence.