overcompensate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sometimes the former defensive player of the year is forced to overcompensate for his teammates’ mistakes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

This sounds obvious, she says, but many people “neglect to pause” and try to overcompensate, which causes them to talk in circles.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 2026

“For years, I internalized the idea that my brain was ‘wrong’ and that I had to work twice as hard, overcompensate and mask my symptoms to be taken seriously in professional spaces,” Colzie said.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2025

The elephantine grand piano can easily bully its smaller partners or timidly overcompensate.

From New York Times • May 6, 2023

I guess it’s because everything’s so strict the rest of the time, they feel like they’ve got to overcompensate or something.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan