overstep

verb

over·​step ˌō-vər-ˈstep How to pronounce overstep (audio)
overstepped; overstepping; oversteps
Synonyms of overstepnext

transitive verb

: exceed, transgress

Synonyms of overstep

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of overstep in a Sentence

the principal overstepped her authority in ordering everyone to remain in the unheated school
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Federal judges blocked that effort in June 2026, saying the Education Department was overstepping its statutory authority, but the department has appealed. — Maya Benjamin,dan Avery, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 Talwani's June ruling concluded Trump overstepped a president's authority under the Constitution, which gives power to state legislatures and Congress to set federal election rules. — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026 In the former case, the government has set out some specific parameters that the broadcasters cannot overstep, which are understood by all and are not ultimately about any political slant of the speech. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026 Now in retirement, Wakefield remains a man who isn’t afraid to speak plainly but also won’t overstep in areas outside of his purview. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overstep

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overstep was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing overstep

Rhymes for overstep

See All Rhymes for overstep

Browse Nearby Words

oversteer
overstep
overstep the bounds/limits
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overstep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstep. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

overstep

verb
over·​step -ˈstep How to pronounce overstep (audio)
: to step over or beyond : exceed
overstepped their authority
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All