overreactions
Disproportionate emotional outbursts
Overreactions are responses disproportionate to what prompted them—excessive in intensity, duration, or consequence.
The term implies judgment: what counts as overreacting depends on the observer.
His overreactions to minor criticism made him difficult to work with.
The market's overreactions to quarterly earnings often correct within days.
Instinctive and unconsidered
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- snap judgmentRapid evaluation without deliberation
- hair-triggerExtremely sensitive mechanism
precipitate · reckless · unthinking · impetuous · hotheaded · trigger-happy · jumping to conclusions · flying off the handle
Exaggerated dramatic behavior
- melodramaSensational, emotionally overwrought drama
- histrionicsExaggerated emotional behavior
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
- spectacleVisually striking event
outburst · tantrum · meltdown · blowup · conniption · hissy fit · freak-out · eruption
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- catastrophizingImagining worst-case outcomes
- worst-case thinkingAssuming the bleakest outcome
- hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
paranoia · spiraling · dread · terror · hysteria · hand-wringing · doom and gloom · chicken little
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- inflationSustained price level increase
magnification · overkill · overemphasis · dramatization · catastrophizing · distortion · stretch · overplay
Readiness to feel slighted
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- oversensitivityExcessive emotional reactivity
- defensivenessResistance to perceived attack
- pricklinessSharp, irritable nature
taking offense · bristling · huffiness · petulance · irritability · hypersensitivity · bruised ego
knee-jerk
Instinctive and unconsidered
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- snap judgmentRapid evaluation without deliberation
hair-trigger · precipitate · reckless · unthinking · impetuous · hotheaded · trigger-happy · jumping to conclusions · flying off the handle · shooting from the hip
theatrics
Exaggerated dramatic behavior
- melodramaSensational, emotionally overwrought drama
- histrionicsExaggerated emotional behavior
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
spectacle · outburst · tantrum · meltdown · blowup · conniption · hissy fit · freak-out · eruption · tirade
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- catastrophizingImagining worst-case outcomes
- worst-case thinkingAssuming the bleakest outcome
hypervigilance · paranoia · spiraling · dread · terror · hysteria · hand-wringing · doom and gloom · chicken little
hyperbole
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
inflation · magnification · overkill · overemphasis · dramatization · catastrophizing · distortion · stretch · overplay · escalation
touchiness
Readiness to feel slighted
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- oversensitivityExcessive emotional reactivity
- defensivenessResistance to perceived attack
prickliness · taking offense · bristling · huffiness · petulance · irritability · hypersensitivity · bruised ego
- nonproblemsnonissues, trifles, trivia, molehills, false alarms
overreactionsunderreactions
Insufficiently strong responses
equanimity · composure · calm · impassivity · stoicism
overreactionsself-control
Ability to restrain impulses
restraint · poise · self-possession · coolheadedness · level-headedness