over-
Prefix meaning excessive
Over- is a prefix indicating excess or surpassing: overconfident, overqualified, overpay.
It can also mean position above (overhead, overlook) or across (overseas, overland).
The excess sense is productive—you can attach over- to almost any verb or adjective to suggest too much of it: overanalyze, overcaffeinated, overthink.
Go beyond intended point
- overstepExceed proper limits
- overreachExceed one's capacity
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
- overduePast expected arrival
overage · overseas · overflight · transgress · exceed · surpass · spillover · boundary
Partial coincidence of coverage
- overlayCovering placed atop
- overgrowSpread excessively with vegetation
- overspreadCover an entire surface
- overcoatLong warm outer garment
overshoe · overprint · overpaint · overshadow · blanket · canopy · drape · shroud
Ponder far too much
- overcookCook beyond readiness
- overindulgePartake to excess
- overpayPay excessive amount
- overextendExceed one's limits
overstay · overcommit · overwhelm · overexert · overbuy · overfill · overpack · overdress
Defeat by superior force
- overlordSupreme feudal superior
- overmasterDefeat utterly and control
- overmatchExceed in strength
- overtopTo rise above
overarch · overshadow · overclass · overboss · overking · outperform · dominate · surpass
overshoot
Go beyond intended point
overdue · overage · overseas · overflight · transgress · exceed · surpass · spillover · boundary · limit
overlap
Partial coincidence of coverage
- overlayCovering placed atop
- overgrowSpread excessively with vegetation
- overspreadCover an entire surface
overcoat · overshoe · overprint · overpaint · overshadow · blanket · canopy · drape · shroud · mantle
overthink
Ponder far too much
- overcookCook beyond readiness
- overindulgePartake to excess
- overpayPay excessive amount
overextend · overstay · overcommit · overwhelm · overexert · overbuy · overfill · overpack · overdress · overwater
overpower
Defeat by superior force
- overlordSupreme feudal superior
- overmasterDefeat utterly and control
- overmatchExceed in strength
overtop · overarch · overshadow · overclass · overboss · overking · outperform · dominate · surpass · excel
overthrow
Forcible removal from power
- overtipGive excessive gratuity
- overbalanceTip from instability
- toppleCause to fall
capsize · upset · flip · reverse · upend · tumble · collapse · destabilize · unsettle
overhaul
Complete systematic repair
revisit · remake · rebuild · refinish · repaint · reexamine · reconsider · rethink · review · renew
- come overArrive at someone's place
- take overAssume control of something
- over thereAt a distance indicated
- run overStrike with a vehicle
- start overBegin from the beginning
- get over itAccept and proceed
over, overcome, oversee, overall, overtake, overdo, overflow, overcast, overload