overstep

verb

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

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.
If that fails, youth could back a Prime Minister from outside Parliament, invoking the doctrine of necessity—though this risks overstepping constitutional limits. Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 Sometimes perfume makers apparently overstep on their own. Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 During his first term, his Administration tried to require drugmakers to include their products’ sticker prices in TV ads, but a federal judge blocked it on the grounds that HHS was overstepping its authority. Chad De Guzman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025 While the court determined that the president overstepped his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to hit the trade partners with the duties, the tariffs are staying in place as the administration appeals the decision with the Supreme Court. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 Sep. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Overstep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstep. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

overstep

verb
over·​step -ˈstep How to pronounce overstep (audio)
: to step over or beyond : exceed
overstepped their authority

More from Merriam-Webster on overstep

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