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overcorrection

overcorrection

1 7.2
A change made too strongly that creates a new problem, for example when steering a car
  • noun
  • /ˌoʊvərkəˈrɛkʃən/
translation icon : sobrecorrección
  • His attempt to fix the problem resulted in an overcorrection that created additional complications.

But no, cash bail is a massive overcorrection.

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Examples

  • The new policy was an overcorrection that made the previous issues even worse.

  • Then the earlier legislation would have resulted in an extreme overcorrection.

    Blog text (18)
  • I think we're in an overcorrection on race issues, on gender issues, on some aspects of socioeconomic issues.

  • But with the thrusters and some smart programming, you could have a computer system that counter-corrects the driver's overcorrection.

    Blog text (8)
  • After the committee's overcorrection, many people felt the changes were too extreme.

Synonyms

hypercorrection
vsovercorrection
  • Specialized
9.5

An overdone change that creates a new mistake, often in language

is an excessive adjustment that swings too far the other way creating a new problem

Antonyms

698 2.5

A situation where different things are in the right amount and are stable

How Corrective

overcorrection
1 7.2
correction
88 2.7
tweak
28 3.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

overcorrection = overcorrect (transparent) = over + correct + ion

Formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ion' to the verb 'overcorrect' (which itself is 'over-' + 'correct'), so the meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

Overcorrection comes from over- meaning 'too much' and correct meaning 'make right', so it literally means 'correcting too much'. That's why in driving a sudden, too-strong steering move meant to fix a mistake can create a new problem like swerving.