Meaning & use
overreactions
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“overreactions” is a form of “overreaction”.
Meanings
nounplural
Responses to something that are much stronger or more emotional than the situation calls for.
Grammar: Plural of overreaction: his overreactions upset everyone.
Patterns
- overreactions to something
His overreactions to small mistakes made the team nervous.
The news stories led to several overreactions in the markets.
Parents sometimes regret their overreactions when children make a small mess.
nounplural
Actions taken by governments or organizations that go further than the real risk justifies.
Grammar: Often followed by to: overreactions to a threat.
Patterns
- overreactions to something
Critics described the new rules as overreactions to a minor problem.
History is full of overreactions to rumors.
Overreactions by regulators can damage trust.
Word forms
| singular | overreaction |
|---|
Common combinations
- panicked overreactions
- Panicked overreactions made the situation worse.
- avoid overreactions
- Try to avoid overreactions when you are tired.
- prone to overreactions
- She is prone to overreactions when criticized.
- overreactions to news
- Overreactions to bad news can hurt share prices.
- emotional overreactions
- Emotional overreactions rarely help in an argument.
Synonyms and how they differ
- exaggerated responses
- This phrase is more descriptive and neutral, while overreactions clearly suggests the response was unreasonable.
- outbursts
- Outbursts are sudden bursts of anger or feeling and do not have to be disproportionate to a cause like overreactions.
- hysterics
- Hysterics suggests wild, uncontrolled emotion and is stronger and more informal than overreactions.
Opposites
Word family
- overreaction noun
- one excessive response
- overreact verb
- to respond too strongly
- reaction noun
- a response to something
- overreactive adjective
- inclined to respond too strongly
Commonly confused: overreactions or overreact?
overreactions vs overreact
Overreact is the verb, while overreactions is a plural noun; you say they overreact but their overreactions.
Practice
Such angry ___ to small problems make it hard for others to work with him.
Choose one answer.
After the adjective angry a plural noun is needed, and overreactions fits. Overreact and overreacted are verbs, so they cannot be followed by to small problems in this noun position.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “overreactions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.