Meaning & use
overreach
Last updated
To try to achieve or gain more than is reasonable or possible, often resulting in failure.
See it in a sentence
The startup overreached by expanding into five countries at once.
Critics warned that the new law represents a dangerous overreach of government power.
A note on using this word
Often paired with "government overreach" in political discourse, describing authority extending beyond its proper or legal limits.
Words with a similar meaning
overextendoverstep
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
underachieve
Another way to use it
2. noun
An instance of exceeding proper or reasonable limits, especially of power or authority.
The court ruled the agency's action an overreach of its mandate.
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