overcorrect
Fix past the mark
To overcorrect is to adjust too far in the opposite direction when fixing a problem.
A driver who overcorrects after drifting right may veer into oncoming traffic.
The term applies broadly to any excessive compensation: After years of being too lenient, the school overcorrected with harsh zero-tolerance policies.
The noun overcorrection describes the result.
Exceed necessary correction
- overdoExceed reasonable limits
- overshootGo beyond intended point
- overreachExceed one's capacity
- overadjustModify beyond optimal
overextend · overreact · exaggerate · overstate · overemphasize · overplay · overkill · excess
Reverse one's stance
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- redressCompensation for injury
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
overreaction · overzealous · reform · reassess · rethink · recalibrate · readjust · reverse
Showing extreme attention to detail
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
- finickyExcessively particular, hard to satisfy
- obsessiveConsumed by fixation
scrupulous · exacting · perfectionist · uncompromising · pedantic · fussy · overpolish · micromanage
overcompensate
Exceed necessary correction
overadjust · overextend · overreact · exaggerate · overstate · overemphasize · overplay · overkill · excess · overcautious
backpedal
Reverse one's stance
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- redressCompensation for injury
apology · overreaction · overzealous · reform · reassess · rethink · recalibrate · readjust · reverse · undo
meticulous
Showing extreme attention to detail
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
- finickyExcessively particular, hard to satisfy
obsessive · scrupulous · exacting · perfectionist · uncompromising · pedantic · fussy · overpolish · micromanage · overthink
overcorrectcalibrate
Adjust for accuracy
fine-tune · undercompensate · right-size · tweak · moderate
overcorrectunderreact
Respond insufficiently to stimulus
undercompensate · ignore · neglect · undershoot · leave alone
overcorrected, overcorrection, overcorrects, overcorrecting, overcorrections