overthinking
overthinking — verb
- overthinkingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- overthinkings3rd person singular
- overthinkinging-ing form
- overthinkingedpast simple
1. to spend too much time thinking about a simple problem, decision, or situation,
to spend too much time thinking about a simple problem, decision, or situation, so that it starts to feel confusing or stressful instead of helpful
Ravindra spent the whole weekend overthinking his email to the landlord about the broken heater.
overthink + noun phrase as direct object
Stop overthinking every joke you make at dinner — just relax and enjoy the conversation.
imperative form: stop overthinking + noun phrase
Hoa tends to overthink questions during exams, which often makes her run out of time.
If you overthink the recipe, you might forget the simple step of adding salt.
Aylin's therapist said she was overthinking her friend's text message and creating meanings that were never there.
- overanalyze
slightly more technical; focuses on breaking something into parts rather than general worry
- second-guess
emphasises doubting a decision you have already made
- obsess (over)
stronger emotional intensity; suggests the thought is unwanted and repetitive
文法句型
overthink + noun phrase
overthink about + noun phrase (less common, informal)
用法筆記
Common in informal conversation and self-help or mental-health contexts. Often used in the imperative ('Don't overthink it') as advice to stop worrying.
常見錯誤
overthinking — noun
1. the habit of spending too long turning a matter over in your mind, so that it cr
the habit of spending too long turning a matter over in your mind, so that it creates worry or confusion instead of leading to a solution
Overthinking kept Jason awake until three as he replayed every detail of the argument.
overthinking as subject of a sentence
The hardest part of applying for jobs is the overthinking before you write the first draft.
Nia's overthinking about her performance review made her too nervous to ask for feedback.
Tomás found the best cure for overthinking was to make a quick decision and keep it.
Layla's overthinking about the group project made her rewrite the introduction fifteen times instead of sending the first draft.
- analysis paralysis
informal; emphasises the inability to make a decision
- rumination
formal or clinical; refers to repeatedly thinking about the same negative thoughts
- worrying
more general; does not imply excessive analysis, just fear or anxiety
- peace of mind
a calm mental state free from excessive worry
- spontaneity
acting without over-planning or over-analysis
用法筆記
Often uncountable; used with verbs like 'stop,' 'avoid,' 'reduce,' or in the phrase 'a tendency toward overthinking.' Frequently appears in advice and self-help writing.