overthink
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to spend too much time thinking about something, often making it seem more difficult than it really is.
to analyze a situation or piece of information to an excessive degree, often resulting in psychological distress or paralysis by analysis.
Simple“I tend to overthink my emails before I send them, worrying about every word.”
In context“She spent the entire weekend overthinking the manager's brief comment, convinced it was a subtle critique of her performance.”
UsageIntransitive or transitive; often used when describing anxiety or decision-making processes.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
to think about something very carefully or for a long time.
to reflect upon or consider a matter thoroughly. This sense is largely replaced by 'think over' in modern contexts.
Simple“The old scholar would overthink the ancient texts for many hours.”
In context“In the quiet of the library, he would overthink the philosophical implications of the manuscript until the candles burned low.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is archaic; modern speakers almost exclusively use 'overthink' to mean thinking too much in a negative way.
Synonyms
“But try not to overthink it – it’s play, and it should be fun.”
From Middle English overthenken, overthenchen (compare Middle English overthinken (“to grieve; have regrets; be sorry; be anxious”)), from Old English oferþenċan (“to think over; consider”), equivalent to over- + think.
From over- + think.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.