overreacting
Blowing things up
Overreacting is responding to something with more intensity than the situation warrants—getting too angry, too worried, or too upset.
The word often appears in accusations: You're overreacting.
Whether someone is actually overreacting or responding appropriately is frequently a matter of perspective.
Exaggeratedly emotional in expression
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
- over-the-topExcessively dramatic or extravagant
- hammyExcessively theatrical in style
overwrought · sensationalized · hyperbolic · bombastic · campy · stagy · extravagant · overblown
Losing emotional control suddenly
- losing itMental composure collapsing
- going ballisticBecoming extremely angry suddenly
- flipping outLosing emotional control suddenly
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
coming unglued · having a fit · alarmist · hysterical · frenzied · panicky · worked up · wound up
Excessively reactive to stimuli
- touchyEasily upset or offended
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- oversensitiveExcessively prone to offense
- volatileLiable to sudden change
temperamental · moody · tearful · defensive · easily offended · neurotic · high-strung · hair-trigger
making a mountain out of a molehill
Exaggerating minor issues dramatically
- catastrophizingImagining worst-case outcomes
- magnifyingIncreasing perceived size
- inflatingCausing to expand
- overblowingExcess air or emphasis
embellishing · overstating · amplifying · escalating · overemphasizing · overdramatizing · jumping to conclusions · spiraling
melodramatic
Exaggeratedly emotional in expression
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
- over-the-topExcessively dramatic or extravagant
hammy · overwrought · sensationalized · hyperbolic · bombastic · campy · stagy · extravagant · overblown · overplayed
freaking out
Losing emotional control suddenly
- losing itMental composure collapsing
- going ballisticBecoming extremely angry suddenly
- flipping outLosing emotional control suddenly
coming unglued · having a fit · knee-jerk · alarmist · hysterical · frenzied · panicky · worked up · wound up · beside oneself
hypersensitive
Excessively reactive to stimuli
- touchyEasily upset or offended
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- oversensitiveExcessively prone to offense
volatile · temperamental · moody · tearful · defensive · easily offended · neurotic · high-strung · hair-trigger · prickly
making a mountain out of a molehill
Exaggerating minor issues dramatically
- catastrophizingImagining worst-case outcomes
- magnifyingIncreasing perceived size
- inflatingCausing to expand
overblowing · embellishing · overstating · amplifying · escalating · overemphasizing · overdramatizing · jumping to conclusions · spiraling · snowballing
- acting outtantrums, tantrum, meltdowns, pouting, whining
- overdoingoverdoing, overindulging, overkill, excess, overspending
- taking offenseindignation, outrage, umbrage, taking it personally, affront
- bad habitssmoking, drinking, lying, swearing, gossiping
- exaggerationhyperbole, overstatement, exaggeration, magnification, amplification
- flawsfaults, defect, flaw, blemish, flaws
overreactingunderreacting
Insufficient emotional response
taking it in stride · measured response · rolling with the punches · downplaying · minimizing
overreactingunderreacting
Insufficient emotional response
ignoring · dismissing · downplaying · minimizing · tuning out