Definition

To create something that is unnecessarily complex or complicated, often by adding features or details that are not needed.

Example

The team tends to overengineer their projects, making them harder to complete than they need to be.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you noticed how some people tend to overengineer their projects?

Yeah, it's like they make things way more complicated than they need to be.

Exactly! Sometimes simple solutions work best, right?

For sure, I think it saves time and effort in the long run.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Overengineer → It is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively) and "engineer" (from Old French *engignier*, meaning to devise or contrive). The word describes the act of designing or creating something in a way that is more complex or elaborate than necessary.

Memory Tip

Think of doing something 'excessively' ('over-') when 'devising' or 'contriving' ('engineer') a solution — that's why overengineer means to make something more complicated than it needs to be.

Visually Confused Words