overact

Verb

1. To act in an exaggerated manner.
   • He overacted his part.
   • If governments overact and become oppressive, the terrorists will have won, for their theory is that repression will eventually lead to revolution. - 1989, Susheela Bhan, Terrorism: an Annotated Bibliography, page 116:
   • The scenework proves unsuccessful when Carmichael recalls not the source of her misandry but another episode of overacting, that of castratively biting off the moustache of an amorous man. - 2016, Leslie H. Abramson,...
2. To act upon, or influence, unduly.
   • The hope of inheritance overacts them. - 1670, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in The History of Britain, that Part Especially now Call’d England. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for James Allestry, […] ,...
   • The χαμολνία, Humicubation, lying upon ground, &c. which things have been overacted, and still are in the Greek and Roman Churches. - 1695, John Whitefoot, A Discourse upon I. Peter IV. VIII., Cambridge: John Hayes,...