overbroad
adjective
over·broad
ˌō-vər-ˈbrȯd 
: too widely applicable or applied : excessively broad
an overbroad interpretation of the statute
… a litigant challenging an overbroad law …—
Laurence H. Tribe
Laurence H. Tribe… was reckless in its assignment of unnecessary and overbroad surveillance powers.—The New York Times
The New York TimesBut he tends, at times, to draw overbroad generalizations from his personal experience.—Alexander Stille
Alexander StilleExamples of overbroad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Democratic lawmakers have warned that the legislation was overbroad and potentially unconstitutional.
—Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Effective control rules, many are asking Treasury to avoid overbroad interpretations around licensing payments, certainly around financing and debt tests, and to focus on actual control and meaningful influence.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The lower court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and the First Amendment, concluding that HR 1069 is overbroad and unconstitutional.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Feb. 2026
This would be a temporary solution, and overbroad use of Section 122 could also be invalidated by the courts.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overbroad
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Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Effective control rules, many are asking Treasury to avoid overbroad interpretations around licensing payments, certainly around financing and debt tests, and to focus on actual control and meaningful influence.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The lower court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and the First Amendment, concluding that HR 1069 is overbroad and unconstitutional.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Feb. 2026
This would be a temporary solution, and overbroad use of Section 122 could also be invalidated by the courts.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overbroad
Cite this Entry
“Overbroad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overbroad. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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