OVERREACT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does overreact mean? 

• OVERREACT (verb)
  The verb OVERREACT has 1 sense:

1. show an exaggerated response to something

  Familiarity information: OVERREACT used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OVERREACT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they overreact    ... he / she / it overreacts   
Past simple: overreacted   
Past participle: overreacted   
-ing form: overreacting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Show an exaggerated response to something

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Context example:

Don't overreact to the bad news--take it easy

Hypernyms (to "overreact" is one way to...):

react; respond (show a response or a reaction to something)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Something ----s to somebody
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

overreaction (an excessive reaction; a reaction with inappropriate emotional behavior)

 Context examples 

Be careful, for due to a difficult new moon that occurred late last month in your salary sector, management seems sensitive about this subject and may overreact when you present your case.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Allergic disorders occur when the immune system overreacts to substances that are usually not harmful, such as pollen, molds, and certain foods.

(Immune system disorder, NCI Dictionary)