Overrespond

To react to a situation, stimulus, or event with an excessive or disproportionate emotional or behavioral response. This can manifest as heightened anxiety, anger, sadness, or other emotions that are beyond what the situation warrants. Overresponding often stems from underlying anxieties, past experiences, or personality traits, leading to a reaction that is more intense or prolonged than is typical or expected, potentially creating more problems than it resolves. It can involve verbal outbursts, physical reactions, or withdrawal and isolation.

Overrespond meaning with examples

• After a minor critique from his boss, Mark *overresponded* by immediately assuming he would be fired and spent the rest of the day in a state of panic, worrying about his job security. His reaction was disproportionate to the gentle feedback he received. Mark should have asked his boss questions.
• The child *overresponded* to a scraped knee by crying inconsolably for hours, even after the wound was cleaned and bandaged. Her exaggerated distress seemed out of sync with the minor injury. This was because she was nervous in a new school and away from her mother and this caused her to react in such a way.
• When her friend was late, Sarah *overresponded* by sending a barrage of angry texts and phone calls, rather than calmly waiting or trying to reach them. Her immediate assumption of the worst was a sign of an *overresponse*. There was a reasonable explanation when her friend arrived.
• Following a social media disagreement, the celebrity *overresponded* by blocking everyone involved and issuing a lengthy statement. The degree of his reaction to the situation demonstrated an *overresponse*, it quickly escalated the situation. He should not have replied and given it time.