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overact. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
overact, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
overact in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
overact you have here. The definition of the word
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overact, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From over- + act.
Pronunciation
Verb
overact (third-person singular simple present overacts, present participle overacting, simple past and past participle overacted)
- (chiefly acting) To act in an exaggerated manner.
He overacted his part.
1989, Susheela Bhan, Terrorism: an Annotated Bibliography, page 116:If governments overact and become oppressive, the terrorists will have won, for their theory is that repression will eventually lead to revolution.
2016, Leslie H. Abramson, Hitchcock & the Anxiety of Authorship:The scenework proves unsuccessful when Carmichael recalls not the source of her misandry but another episode of overacting, that of castratively biting off the moustache of an amorous man.
- (obsolete, transitive) To act upon, or influence, unduly.
1695, John Whitefoot, A Discourse upon I. Peter IV. VIII., Cambridge: John Hayes, page 16:The χαμολνία, Humicubation, lying upon ground, &c. which things have been overacted, and still are in the Greek and Roman Churches.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
act in an exaggerated manner