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overcompensates

 - 2 dictionary results

o⋅ver⋅com⋅pen⋅sate

  [oh-ver-kom-puhn-seyt] verb, -sat⋅ed, -sat⋅ing.
Use overcompensates in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to compensate or reward excessively; overpay: Some stockholders feel the executives are being overcompensated and that bonuses should be reduced.
–verb (used without object)
2. to exhibit psychological overcompensation; strive to overcome a sense of inferiority through overt, opposite behavior: The aggressive patient may be overcompensating, and be a profoundly shy person beneath the façade.
Origin:
1760–70; over- + compensate; as term in psychology, perh. back formation from overcompensation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To overcompensates
o·ver·com·pen·sate   (ō'vər-kŏm'pən-sāt')   
v.   o·ver·com·pen·sat·ed, o·ver·com·pen·sat·ing, o·ver·com·pen·sates

v.   intr.
To engage in overcompensation.
v.   tr.
To pay (someone) too much; compensate excessively.
o'ver·com·pen'sa·to'ry (-kəm-pěn'sə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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