overthink

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/ˌoʊvɚˈθɪŋk/
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To spend so much time examining something that the thought stops being useful.
Practice using overthink in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • She overthought every detail of the interview afterward.
  • Don't overthink the message, just reply honestly.
  • Am I overthinking this, or did his tone really change?
  • We nearly missed the deadline because we overthought a minor design choice.
  • He tends to overthink before making even small decisions.

Similar words

ruminate on
dwell on
worry about
overanalyze
obsess over
second-guess

Meanings

Think too much

verb
psychology
neutral
To spend more time thinking about something than is useful, often making a simple choice harder or causing extra worry.

Examples

  • Don't overthink the message, just reply honestly.
  • She overthought every detail of the interview afterward.
  • Am I overthinking this, or did his tone really change?
  • We nearly missed the deadline because we overthought a minor design choice.
  • He tends to overthink before making even small decisions.
  • There is no need to overthink it, the first option works fine.

Similar words

overanalyze
obsess over
dwell on
ruminate on
worry about
second-guess

Etymology

Formed from over-, meaning too much, and think. The verb has been recorded since the 1600s.

FAQ

What does overthink mean?

It means to think about something longer or more deeply than is useful, often causing worry or confusion.

What is the past tense of overthink?

The past tense is overthought.

Can overthink be used without an object?

Yes. Both “I overthink everything” and “I tend to overthink” are natural.

Is overthink the same as analyze?

No. Analyze can be useful, while overthink says the thinking has become excessive or unhelpful.

How is overthink pronounced?

In General American English it is /ˌoʊvɚˈθɪŋk/, with the main stress on think.

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