overenthusiasm
- noun
- /ˌoʊvərɪnˈθjuːziˌæzəm/
- We shouldn't let our overenthusiasm overshadow the important details of our plan.
Examples
-
For an attempted diplomacy in the Middle East, overenthusiasm is no virtue, and a cautious approach is no vice.
Academic text (1991) -
The overenthusiasm on the part of the rich nations to promote democratization in Africa after the Cold War has led some African countries to conclude that democracy, if imposed from outside, can be a form of imperialism.
Academic text (1996) -
The world is a complex place, and just reporting that things are wonderful—or that anything is all right—smacks of overenthusiasm, nonseriousness, and other journalistic no-nos.
Blog text (27) -
His overenthusiasm for the project made the other team members feel pressured.
-
The coach warned against overenthusiasm, reminding the players to stay focused on their training.
Synonyms
A strong, often sudden interest in something like a toy or hobby that many people like
A time when people feel very strong excitement together
The act of trying too hard and causing problems
A strong, eager interest in a cause or idea
A very strong, excited feeling that makes people act
A strong desire to act that is too much and causes problems
Too much enthusiasm that causes problems
A time when someone feels very happy or nervous and cannot calm down
Very strong excitement that goes too far and is not reasonable
Antonyms
How Enthusiastic
Surface Forms
Morphology
overenthusiasm = enthusiasm (transparent) = over + enthusiasm
The productive prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' combines straightforwardly with 'enthusiasm' to yield the stated meaning.
Etymology
Overenthusiasm combines over- 'too much' with enthusiasm, a word that originally meant being 'filled with a god' and now means strong excitement, so overenthusiasm is being too excited about something, often more than is helpful.