overcompensate
Correct too much
To overcompensate is to go too far in correcting a problem or deficiency, creating an opposite imbalance: He overcompensated for his lack of experience by being overly aggressive.
In psychology, it often describes exaggerated behavior masking an insecurity—the small man who acts tough, the anxious person who seems arrogant.
The steering wheel jerks because you overcompensated for a swerve.
Exceed reasonable limits
- overkillUnnecessary additional effort
- overdoneExcessive in degree
- overboardOff a vessel's deck
- overindulgenceExcessive consumption or enjoyment
extravagant · excessive · superfluous · exaggerate · overshoot · overcorrect · overextend · overreach
Lower status or quality
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- inadequacyState of being insufficient
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
self-consciousness · nervousness · defensiveness · sensitivity · overachiever · perfectionism · people-pleasing · approval-seeking
Offsetting force or weight
- overcorrectFix too much
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- offsetCompensate by opposing force
- rebalanceRestore equal distribution
equilibrium · calibration · oversteer · overadjust · recalibrate · overshoot · swing · pendulum
Compensation for wrongdoing
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
contrition · repentance · self-reproach · regret · apologizing · absolution · reconciliation · reparation
Something that extends outward
- sublimationSolid to gas directly
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
- denialRefusal to accept reality
repression · suppression · unconscious · neurosis · Freudian · psychoanalysis · maladaptive · avoidance
overdo
Exceed reasonable limits
overindulgence · extravagant · excessive · superfluous · exaggerate · overshoot · overcorrect · overextend · overreach · disproportionate
inferiority
Lower status or quality
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- inadequacyState of being insufficient
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
anxiety · self-consciousness · nervousness · defensiveness · sensitivity · overachiever · perfectionism · people-pleasing · approval-seeking · validation
counterbalance
Offsetting force or weight
- overcorrectFix too much
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- offsetCompensate by opposing force
rebalance · equilibrium · calibration · oversteer · overadjust · recalibrate · overshoot · swing · pendulum · course-correct
atonement
Compensation for wrongdoing
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
redemption · contrition · repentance · self-reproach · regret · apologizing · absolution · reconciliation · reparation · expiation
projection
Something that extends outward
- sublimationSolid to gas directly
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
denial · repression · suppression · unconscious · neurosis · Freudian · psychoanalysis · maladaptive · avoidance · masking
overcompensateundercompensate
Pay below fair value
underdo · fall short · measured response · underreact · just enough
overcompensateaccept
Consent to receive
embrace · acknowledge · ignore · downplay · underreact
overcompensatebe authentic
Act without pretense
undercompensate · do nothing · self-acceptance · resign oneself
overcompensated, overcompensates, overcompensation, overcompensating