WorldAugust 18, 2026

overreach

OH-ver-reech

Definition

An act of exceeding one's proper authority, power, or jurisdiction, especially by government or legal entities.

Etymology

The word is a compound of the Old English 'ofer-' (meaning over) and 'recan' (meaning to stretch or reach). It entered common usage in the 19th century to describe the act of exceeding the limits of one's grasp or authority.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe legal groups' concerns that local governments are improperly extending their authority into national policy debates to punish private companies. It serves to highlight the argument that such litigation suppresses public debate.

Supreme Court to hear Colorado climate case against Suncor as legal groups warn of First Amendment threat

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Heartlander News

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