overreaching
Extending too far
Overreaching describes going too far in pursuit of an objective, attempting more than one can accomplish or is entitled to.
An overreaching executive grabs power beyond their authority.
An overreaching argument extends logic past its breaking point.
The word implies ambition that defeats itself—The prosecution's overreaching claims alienated the jury.
To overreach is to stretch beyond one's grasp.
Gradually intruding on territory
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- infringingBreaching established limits
- intrudingEntering without welcome
- violatingInfringing upon established rules
impinging · transgressing · overstepping bounds · crossing the line · going too far · pushing limits · boundary violation · intrusion
Exceeding appropriate bounds
- power grabAttempt to seize control
- usurpationWrongful seizure of power
- encroachmentGradual intrusion on territory
- abuse of powerMisusing entrusted authority
tyranny · authoritarianism · despotism · autocracy · high-handedness · heavy-handedness · imperious · domineering
Excessively driven toward goals
- overextendingGoing beyond safe capacity
- overzealousExcessively fervent or eager
- hubrisRuinous excessive confidence
- overconfidenceUnjustified certainty in oneself
presumption · arrogance · overstriving · grandiosity · megalomania · delusions of grandeur · overestimation · self-aggrandizement
Going beyond safe capacity
- overstretchingExceeding safe capacity
- strainingExerting intense effort
- overexertionHarmful excess of effort
- topplingCausing to collapse
falling · grasping · lunging · hyperextension · overbalancing · stumbling · sprawling
encroaching
Gradually intruding on territory
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- infringingBreaching established limits
- intrudingEntering without welcome
violating · impinging · transgressing · overstepping bounds · crossing the line · going too far · pushing limits · boundary violation · intrusion · invasion
overstepping
Exceeding appropriate bounds
- power grabAttempt to seize control
- usurpationWrongful seizure of power
- encroachmentGradual intrusion on territory
abuse of power · tyranny · authoritarianism · despotism · autocracy · high-handedness · heavy-handedness · imperious · domineering · overbearing
overambitious
Excessively driven toward goals
- overextendingGoing beyond safe capacity
- overzealousExcessively fervent or eager
- hubrisRuinous excessive confidence
overconfidence · presumption · arrogance · overstriving · grandiosity · megalomania · delusions of grandeur · overestimation · self-aggrandizement
overextending
Going beyond safe capacity
- overstretchingExceeding safe capacity
- strainingExerting intense effort
- overexertionHarmful excess of effort
toppling · falling · grasping · lunging · hyperextension · overbalancing · stumbling · sprawling
- Risk-Takingplaying with fire, rolling the dice, taking chances, living on the edge, going for broke
- acting too soonjumping the gun, rushing, hasty decision, false start, impatience
- reaching actionsstretching, grasping, grabbing, extending, lunging
- swimming mistakessplashing, poor timing
- training phasesperiodization, recovery phase, transition phase, deload, taper
overreachingunderreaching
Deliberately aiming too low
unambitious · modest · content · conservative · settling
overreachingrestrained
Held under control
circumspect · cautious · prudent · moderate · judicious
overreachingtimid
Lacking courage or confidence
risk-averse · cautious · playing it safe · hesitant · tentative
reach, reaching, reached, reaches, override, unreachable, outreach, overreach, overriding