[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/overreact/)

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# overreact

verb (overreact, overreacts, overreacted, overreacting)

«overreact» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

To react much more strongly than you need to, such as getting very angry or upset over something small. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/overreact/#m1)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and PSHE lessons, it is about controlling feelings: «Don't overreact, it was an accident.» In stories it shows a character making a small problem bigger. Phrases: don't overreact, a bit of an overreaction.

### Examples

- Don't overreact; it's only a scratch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/overreact/#x1)
- She overreacted when I borrowed her pencil. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/overreact/#x2)
- Mum says I overreact when I lose at games. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/overreact/#x3)
- The referee overreacted and sent him off. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/overreact/#x4)
- I think I overreacted; sorry for shouting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/overreact/#x5)
- People overreacted to the rumour and bought all the bread. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/overreact/#x6)

### Note

Regular verb: overreacted. Noun: overreaction. Over- means too much. Written as one word. Similar slang: freak out, lose it.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «overreact» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/overreact/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«overreact» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/overreact.html) on Mova free.