Standard Lemma guide

overextend

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: OW2 V ER0 IH0 K S T EH1 N D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To expand or extend to an excessive degree, especially to do so beyond a safe limit; to overreach.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To apply (a term) to too many referents, by overextension.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To push a pawn too far, so that it becomes vulnerable to the opponent's attacks.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: board-games, chess, games

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

strain excessively

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He overextended himself when he accepted the additional assignment

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: overstrain

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: strain, extend

History

Etymology

From over- + extend.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: túlerőltet — to expand or extend to an excessive degree
  • Hungarian: túlhajt — to expand or extend to an excessive degree
  • Polish: przesadzać — to expand or extend to an excessive degree
  • Polish: przesadzić — to expand or extend to an excessive degree
  • Polish: włączać zbyt wiele — to apply (a term) to too many referents
  • Polish: włączyć zbyt wiele — to apply (a term) to too many referents
  • Polish: przeciągać pozycję — to push a pawn too far
  • Polish: przeciągnąć pozycję — to push a pawn too far