overcorrect
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌoʊvərkəˈrɛkt/
KK: /oʊvərkəˈrɛkt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To make a correction that is too extreme or goes beyond what is necessary.
Example
He tends to overcorrect his mistakes, making them worse instead of better.
Tense Forms
Past: overcorrected
Past Participle: overcorrected
Conversation
I think I might have overcorrect my essay this time.
What do you mean? Did you change too much?
Yeah, I was worried about grammar mistakes, so I went a bit overboard.
It happens! Just make sure it still sounds like your voice.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
adjust
rectify
amend
Antonyms
ignore
neglect
mistake
transitive verb
Definition
To make a correction that is too much or unnecessary, often leading to a new mistake.
Example
He tends to overcorrect his essays, making them worse instead of better.
Tense Forms
Past: overcorrected
Past Participle: overcorrected
Conversation
I think I might have overcorrected my essay too much this time.
Really? What do you mean by that?
I changed so many sentences that it doesn't even sound like my original voice anymore.
Root Explanation
Overcorrect → It is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively) and "correct" (from Latin "corrigere", meaning to set right). The word "overcorrect" means to excessively set something right or to make corrections beyond what is necessary.
Memory Tip
Think of making corrections 'excessively' ('over-') — that's why overcorrect means to correct too much.
Visually Confused Words
recorrect