Overreaching: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ“ˆ
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overreaching

 

[ หŒoสŠvษ™rหˆriหtสƒษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

excessive ambition

Overreaching refers to the act of attempting to achieve too much or to extend one's influence beyond a limit. It often implies a degree of ambition that exceeds reasonable bounds, leading to potential negative consequences. This can be seen in various contexts, such as business, personal goals, or even legal situations. Overreaching can result in setbacks or failures when the ambitions are not grounded in practical reality.

Synonyms

exceeding, overambition, overextending, overstepping

Examples of usage

  • The company faced a downturn after overreaching in its expansion plans.
  • His overreaching attempts to control everything led to conflicts.
  • Overreaching in negotiations can jeopardize the entire deal.
  • Many politicians are accused of overreaching their mandates.

Translations

Translations of the word "overreaching" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น excessivo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคคเฅเคฏเคงเคฟเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช รผbergreifend

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ berlebihan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะฐะดะผั–ั€ะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ przesadny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้Žๅ‰ฐใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท excessif

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ excesivo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท aลŸฤฑrฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ณผ๋„ํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูุฑุท

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™ehnanรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ prehnanรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฟ‡ๅบฆ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prekomeren

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ ofur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐั€ั‚ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›ูุฑแƒแƒ—แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸiลŸirdilmiลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ excesivo

Word origin

The term 'overreaching' combines the prefix 'over-', meaning 'excessively' or 'beyond', with the verb 'reach', which means to stretch out or extend one's arm or hand to touch or grasp something. Initially used in contexts related to physical reach, the meaning evolved to encompass metaphorical stretches of ambition and power. In legal contexts, 'overreaching' can refer specifically to a party exceeding their legal authority, thus leading to challenges in enforceability. The term gained traction in the 19th century, aligning with the rise of individualism and corporate power, where ambition often led to unintended consequences. Thus, overreaching encapsulates the struggle between aspiration and reality, a recurring theme in both historical and contemporary narratives.