overmatch

verb

over·​match ˌō-vər-ˈmach How to pronounce overmatch (audio)
overmatched; overmatching; overmatches

transitive verb

1
: to be more than a match for : defeat
2
: to match with a superior opponent

Examples of overmatch in a Sentence

an indomitable spirit that no amount of adversity could overmatch
Recent Examples on the Web Both countries are concerned that Chinese, Russian, or North Korean hypersonic weapons, with blistering fast flight speeds, could overmatch existing defenses. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 8 Apr. 2023 The Longhorns easily overmatch the Golden Lions in their return home. Dallas News, 10 Dec. 2022 But the Rockets were so overmatched in the first half, they were outscored 22-0 in second-chance points. Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2020 Sharapova was Williams’s great if overmatched foil, on the court and in American culture. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2020 But the youngest sibling appeared overmatched his first college season, failing to catch a pass while toiling as a run blocker who wore No. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2020 YouTube is filled with reels of the 18-year-old detonating on overmatched high schoolers, dropping out of the sky to pummel shots into the stands and weaving through traffic to score as if defenders were training cones. Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, 10 Apr. 2020 In the early stages of these kinds of crises, local officials try to avoid blame from Beijing by hiding information about outbreaks and the extent to which health facilities are overmatched. Ian Bremmer, Time, 6 Feb. 2020 The Colts were a sieve in the passing game in the final four weeks, able to stop only overmatched Carolina rookie Will Grier. Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star, 30 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overmatch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overmatch was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near overmatch

Cite this Entry

“Overmatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overmatch. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overmatch

verb
over·​match -ˈmach How to pronounce overmatch (audio)
1
: to be more than a match for : defeat
2
: to match with a stronger opponent
a boxer who was badly overmatched

More from Merriam-Webster on overmatch

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